Only Three Lads - Classic Alternative Music Podcast

For our landmark 150th episode, we bring you an episode that made Brett so giddy that he nearly piddled. That's right, folks, our Third Lad this week is none other than Phil Wilson from seminal UK indie pop band The June Brides. During their initial run from 1983 - 1986, The June Brides released some of the most beloved singles of the era and the chart-topping album There Are Eight Million Stories... Originally under the spell of Postcard bands like Orange Juice and Josef K, the Brides' unique blend of guitar pop with viola and trumpet has in turn been wildly influential from C86 to Britpop and beyond. High profile fans like Morrissey, Manic Street Preachers, and Belle & Sebastian's Stuart Murdoch have acknowledged The June Brides' impact. Following the band's breakup, Phil recorded material for Creation and Caff before leaving the music business behind in the late '80s. In the 21st century, The June Brides have returned for live gigs and recordings. Phil also released an acclaimed solo album for Slumberland in 2010, God Bless Jim Kennedy, as well as self releasing collections of home recordings. Because your humble hosts of Only Three Lads are Only Two Idiots, it was a late realization that we already covered this topic in Episode 131. Therefore, we present our first "Volume II" episode, where we take a previously covered topic and put a fresh spin on it with all new selections. What do you think? Should we add some more past topics back into the randomizer? As you would expect, we explore all kinds of dangerous diversions, dark alleyways and wabbit holes - Motley Crüe, Montrose, Andy Bell's "pendulum", a missed meeting with David Byrne, Coke mix-ups. As Gregg would say: it's on like Donkey Kong! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Three is a magic number, yes it is...and good thing it is, because this week we take a look at our top musical trios of the O3L era. Appropriately enough, our Third Lads are The Monkey Power Trio (who are actually five guys, but we only got three of them...so that counts as a trio, right?!?). The MPT have a fascinating slant, as band member Dan Richardson told us: "We are the Monkey Power Trio, a band of dummies who pledged in our twenties to record music once a year for one day without practicing or planning ahead and then to release the 'best' of that one day as 'music.' The last guy alive, by pact, has to do a solo album, thereby completing the project and avoiding the hauntings of already departed members. We just finished our 26th year. None of us is dead yet." We had a blast hanging out with Dan, Mark and Matt for this episode. We missed Mike and Dave. Dave... Oh, and this one definitely earned its "explicit" tag. It contains some language that will make your ears bleed and mind melt. Hide the kiddies. We recorded this episode a few hours before the news broke that we sadly lost Trugoy the Dove from hip-hop trio De La Soul. Trugoy, this one's for you. Finally, if you're listening to this on release day, Happy Valentine's Day from Only Three Lads. We loves ya to pieces! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A-HA! We go "back to the future" to 1985 to discuss our Top 5 Songs from that incredible year. In many ways, 1985 was the heart of the BIG 80s...big hair, big, loud day-glo imagery, big booming snare drums, big synth sounds, big hits. On the other hand, 1985 was also a year filled with a lot of incredible indie pop, garage rock, neo-pysch and post-punk music. One of those bands was The Dentists, a leading light of the Medway, UK scene in the mid-80s. They debuted in 1985 with a prolific spate of releases: their first single, "Strawberries Are Growing In My Garden (And It's Wintertime)", the full-length album Some People Are On The Pitch They Think It's All Over It Is Now and a six-track EP, You And Your Bloody Oranges. Each release masterfully blended '60s psych-pop, garage, and chiming, harmony-laden folk-rock that was mercifully out of step with the "Big 80s" sound. Over the course of the next decade, the band would release 1990's Heads And How To Read Them, 1993's Powdered Lobster Fiasco, 1994's Behind The Door I Keep The Universe, and 1995's Deep 6 (the last two for major label Warner subsidiary EastWest), as well as more singles, EPs, and compilations. The AllMusic Guide refers to The Dentists as "arguably the first Britpop band." It is our great pleasure to welcome Dentists' guitarist Bob Collins and bassist Mark Matthews as our Third Lads this week. Along with a 40 year history as friends, Mark and Bob are bandmates once again in The Treasures Of Mexico. They offer great insights on their history, and took their homework assignment seriously, coming up with a fantastic and thoughtful list of 1985 tracks. During the show, you will hear The Treasures Of Mexico's 2021 single "Always The Shadows" and vintage 1985 Dentists track "I Had An Excellent Dream." Finally...a Dentists visit to look forward to! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hey, all you young (and not-so-young) dudes. electric warriors, starmen, and foxes on the run! If UK glam rock is your bag, then you'll definitely want to feel this noize and get it on with these 20th century boys. Put on your electric boots and mohair suits because it's, it's a podcast blitz! Translation for the squares out there: we're talking about our Top 5 UK Glam & Glitter songs this week. While it just made a minor splash in the US underground with bands like New York Dolls. glam rock was THE sound of young Britain in the early-to-mid '70s. A punchy mix of amped-up rock n' roll energy, anthemic pop hooks, teenage angst, and a flair for outlandish, flamboyant theatrics, glam ushered in a new era of pop stars who challenged gender stereotypes and brought a sense of fun and excitement back to a rock landscape that was beginning to take itself far too seriously. Artists such as David Bowie, T.Rex, Slade, Sweet, and...uh...Mud became household names and fixtures on the pop charts and TV screens. One of the bands who carried the influence of glam into the '80s was Southern California's The Joneses, led by singer/songwriter/guitarist...and Third Lad this week, Jeff Drake. Formed in 1981, The Joneses synthesized glam, garage punk, '50s rock n' roll, Stonesy swagger, rockabilly and country & western and became one of the biggest drawing bands in the LA and Orange County areas. Their electrifying performances earned them a rapturous following and a nod as the "Best Live Band" in a 1984 LA Weekly readers poll. They sang about drugs, booze, sex and criminals, but also had the lifestyle to back it up - leading to Drake's battle with heroin addiction and federal imprisonment for bank robbery. Now, JD bears all with his unflinchingly honest memoir, Guilty! My Life As A Member of The Joneses, A Heroin Addict, A Bank Robber and A Federal Inmate, out now from HoZac Books. Aside from the normal fun we have, this is a wild tale of rock n' roll and redemption that you do not want to miss! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What's the first thing you think of when you hear the phrase "guitar riff"? Big, stadium filling, wall-rattling riffs like "Smoke On The Water", "Whole Lotta Love", "Iron Man" or "Brown Sugar"? Well, even if they're not as instantly recognizable as their classic rock brethren, we've got plenty of amazing displays of riffery (yeah, we realize that's not a real word, Webster's) going on in the classic alternative world too. Our Third Lad this week is not only someone who has heard a heck of a lot of loud guitar riffs in his life, but has made a career of capturing iconic moments of some of the biggest artists in the world (The Who, Led Zeppelin, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, Fleetwood Mac, Tina Turner), alternative legends (The Clash, Nirvana, REM, The Replacements, The Jam), and the lesser known heroes of the underground (Compulsive Gamblers, The Pudz, Tupelo Chain Sex). Now photographer Marty Perez has compiled some of his greatest portraits into a new compendium on Hozac Books called Kill A Punk For Rock & Roll: Photographs by Marty Perez 1976-2019. It's a veritable who's-who of rock & roll over the past 40+ years, and is an essential time capsule for any music fan. Marty was a blast, with terrific stories, insights and some unusual picks (hey, that's usually Brett's job). We turn our first O3L Spotlight of Season 4 onto a power pop/punk band out of the Isle of Wight, Reminders. A failing transatlantic relationship and a timeless riff are all it took for Reminders to produce their most authentic power pop track to date. “International Dial Tones” feels like summer, reads like infatuation, and sounds like (a Gen Z) Undertones/Ramones supergroup. They are a true punk rock power trio firing on all cylinders, straight from the garage, rough around the edges, and yet the most refined we’ve heard the band yet. The beach punk boys of 2022 enter 2023 having graduated into bonafide songsmiths, and there is no further proof necessary than “International Dial Tones.” #musicpodcast #musicpodcasts #classicalternative #punkrock #newwave #1stwave #indierock #indiepop #alternativerock #guitar #guitarriffs Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hurrah! It's a brand new O3L, where we discuss our Top 5 EPs & Mini-Albums with singer/songwriter Paul Handyside. We love the EP, or Extended Play, perched somewhere in between a traditional single and a full length album. Sometimes they compile album tracks or previous singles, and other times they are conceived as complete works designed to stand up on their own. Either way, they're short, they're fun, and leave you wanting more. Other than being short, sounds a lot like this podcast, eh? ("Yes." The correct answer is "Yes.") Oh, and spoiler alert: We have the rare "triple crossover" in this episode. Can you guess what it is? So join us for a rousing chorus of "Shubby Shubby Go!", won't you? About Paul Handyside: Paul Handyside is a folk and roots singer/songwriter. His song writing style has been compared to artists as varied as Chris Difford, Billy Bragg, Robyn Hitchcock, Green Gartside, Elvis Costello, Jeff Buckley and Martin Carthy. He began his musical career with eighties indie darlings Hurrah! The jangle pop band had a run of classic singles (including Paul's "The Sun Shines Here", "Hip Hip", and "Sweet Sanity") and album releases on Kitchenware and Arista Records from 1982 to 1991, and toured extensively worldwide. During the nineties he toured and recorded with friend and Kitchenware labelmate Martin Stephenson. Handyside formed Bronze in 2001. Still embracing chiming, Rickenbacker driven pop, and increasingly alt country, they released two albums, The Statue in the Stone and A Common Prayer. His debut solo album Future's Dream, a combination of pop, country and modern day hymns was released in 2007 to great reviews. The second album Wayward Son followed in 2013 and further developed his own brand of folk-tinged americana. Tide, Timber & Grain was released in 2016 with elements of traditional British folk and sixties protest songs emerging in Handyside's now well established and diverse musical palette. The fourth album Loveless Town was released 21st of May 2021. As is evident in the title track he songs have an even stronger resonance with country and americana, the counterpoint to which is “Hartley Pit Catastrophe”, a true story from his native North East with its English folk sensibilities. Handyside is aided and abetted by long time cohorts Dave Porthouse on double bass and melodeon and by Rob Tickell, who also produced the album, on guitar and dobro. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's time to kick off our 4th Golden Year in Fashion! For our Season Premiere, the two not-so-Young Americans (uhhhhh, Dusty Satellites & Dani Turquoise) are joined by singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist/producer Julian Shah-Tayler. If it wasn't already apparent, the focus of this week's show is one of the most pivotal and influential figures in music history, David Bowie. We take on the nearly impossible task of choosing our Top 5 Bowie Songs, because we apparently like to torture ourselves like that. Over the course of his 50+ year career, Bowie earned a reputation as a trailblazing artist and musical chameleon, constantly evolving, challenging and shedding personas and styles. On release day, it is seven years since his tragic passing, but he remains a singular cultural icon whose music will live on forever. Julian Shah-Tayler is an acclaimed UK-born, LA-based singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer who is not only a huge Bowie fan, but also the lead singer ("Electric Duke") in The Band That Fell To Earth: A David Bowie Odyssey. He also plays keyboards in the world's foremost Depeche Mode tribute band, Strangelove: The Depeche Mode Experience, and continues to prolifically release a string of his original music under both his own name and The Singularity. His most recent album of self-penned material, 2022's Elysium, has garnered radio support and rave reviews - including respected indie magazine The Big Takeover, who proclaimed it to be a "vivid, dynamic to reflective, and catchy record" that "takes the listener on a voyage through the building back of hope through the different moods and stages of love." Most importantly, he is gracious, charitable, and promotes the awesome power of music to pull people together as one tribe. All that *and* Mick Jagger-esque good looks?? Oh yeah, and as if he needed yet another feather in his cap, we gave him the coolest glam name too! Special thanks to Paul Richison for suggesting Julian as a guest! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As we get ready for Season 4's launch, take a journey back to some of our earliest episodes during O3L Flashback Week! We conclude our flashback series by bringing our most popular episode yet back into circulation, the "main" episode of our three part extravaganza with Love Tractor. Not only are Love Tractor art rock pioneers and founding members of the legendary Athens, GA alternative scene, but they also become our new BFFs. We love Love Tractor, and we reckon you either already do or soon will! Thanks for taking this trip down memory lane with us. The Season 4 premiere is tomorrow, January 10th! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As we get ready for Season 4's launch, take a journey back to some of our earliest episodes during O3L Flashback Week! We had to do something cool for our 50th episode, and we can't think of anything cooler than having the Queen of Cool, Vanessa Briscoe Hay from Pylon, on O3L. This highly influential band was called "the greatest arty party band" and "eons ahead of their time" by Rolling Stone, "raw, minimalist, brainy and danceable" by Pitchfork, "pioneering, good-humoured and brilliant" by Uncut, and "cool as hell" by PopMatters. High praise indeed! Not only is Vanessa cool, but she was also very gracious, generous with her time, has an awesome Top 5 list, and great stories to share. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As we get ready for Season 4's launch, take a journey back to some of our earliest episodes during O3L Flashback Week! We head to our super special Season 2 premiere, where we welcomed one of the most recognizable and legendary voices in alternative music, SiriusXM, radio and TV personality, author, screenwriter, game show contestant (and did we mention legend?) RICHARD BLADE. The stories are incredible - if you missed this one the first time around, you definitely want to check this out, and then our bonus episode available at: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-p78d4-f6b519. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As we get ready for Season 4's launch, take a journey back to some of our earliest episodes during O3L Flashback Week! Today, it's Season 1, Episode 37, where we had a lot of fun saluting the ladies of the classic alternative era - the trailblazers and the legends. Along the way, we cover Bueno's celebrity crushes, Jepheads and Blinks, and debut our hot new country jam "Gotta Truck, Gotta Dog." Hey, it's a work in progress. The ghost of Jim Backus commands you to listen! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As we get ready for Season 4's launch, take a journey back to some of our earliest episodes during O3L Flashback Week! Today, it's Season 1, Episode 29, where we discuss our Top 5 Various Artist Compilation Albums, and we've come up with (to quote an old K-Tel album) pure gold. But wait...there's more! You get these smashes and more: "Be Bueno" (12" Remix) "You'll Come Around, Gregg" "I'd Like To Punch Reel Big Fish Silly (But They Probably Had It Comin')" Act now - supplied are limited!** **No, they're not. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As we get ready for Season 4's launch, take a journey back to some of our earliest episodes during O3L Flashback Week! Season 1, Episode 24 was originally released on July 28, 2020, and it's one of those "off the rails" episodes. Aside from discussing some of the greatest alternative music ever created, Uncle Gregg gives us a taste of movie cheese, Brett reveals his obvious mastery of a Dutch accent, and Bueno?!? Well, let's just say you have to hear it to believe it. So, pour yourself a Double Palmer and stay awhile! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As we get ready for Season 4's launch, take a journey back to some of our earliest episodes during O3L Flashback Week! Today we bring you Season 1, Episode 15, originally released on May 26, 2020. The episode contains excerpts from our interview with the very first guest on O3L - Robert Vickers from The Go-Betweens. What an incredible thrill that was too! Whatever we have is yours, and it's right here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As we get ready for Season 4's launch, take a journey back to some of our earliest episodes during O3L Flashback Week! First up is the very beginning - Season 1, Episode 1, originally released on February 12, 2020. Ah, the world was so innocent back then...and we were so awkward. It's like looking back at an old yearbook. So take this trip back down memory lane with us. We recognize that you will be laughing at us, not with us. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In our Season 3 finale, we spend another week outside of the normal O3L era to discuss our Top 5 Songs of 2022. Not only that, but we have something really special for you, as our Third Lads this week are Sarah Cogan and Dylan Frankland from Toronto dream pop band Tallies. Yes, that's right...the band behind the 2022 record Patina that Brett picked as his #1 album of the year last week. We cover a lot of the amazing songs that this year had to offer, from deep underground tracks to the tunes that had the whole world singing along, as well as a whole bunch of other totally 2022 topics: Condiments! Kool-Aid! Urban Outfitters! Gothic Horror Clowns! Politicians (isn't that kinda the same thing as gothic horror clowns??)! Climate change! Swifties! Plus, Sarah & Dylan offer insights into their new album, their writing process, and Tallies' 2022 highlights. If you are already a Tallies fan, you'll love this episode...if you're new to Tallies, be prepared to become a fan! Happy New Year! We can't wait for you to see what's in store for Season 4! About Tallies: Tallies started in earnest when singer Sarah Cogan, guitarist Dylan Frankland, and drummer Cian O’Neill began collaborating in late 2017. A proto-version of the band began at Algonquin College, when Sarah met Dylan during a music engineering course that saw the two become lab partners. All throughout their career, they’ve dove into the bands that would influence their sound–the Sundays, the Smiths, Aztec Camera–all while adding their own signature elements; Sarah’s airy-yet-arresting vocals, Dylan’s stunning gossamer guitar work, Cian’s astronomic drumming. They got down to business rather quickly, as in 2019, their debut self-titled album was released on Hand Drawn Dracula in Canada and Kanine Records in the United States. Solidifying the band’s stature as Canada’s leading dream pop scholars, its mix of upbeat pop hooks and heady, larger-than-life production won the band critical acclaim from the indie underground to the mainstream alike. They began work straight away on a second record, which would prove to be an even more life-affirming endeavor than their debut. With their brand new sophomore album, Patina, Toronto-based indie pop band Tallies have found a way to expertly walk that razor-thin tightrope, nodding to their favorite bands of the past while transforming their sound into something tight, bright, and undeniably fresh. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Uncle Gregg and Brett step out of the classic alternative era to discuss their Top 5 Albums of 2022. Anything goes...and it does! The Lads also play an informal game of "Have Yourself a Creepy Little Christmas" (Note from Gregg: Brett doesn't even stand a chance. Bow to your sensei!), draw the line at what does/does not qualify as a cookie, practice their Cookie Monster vocal techniques, and share what song should be added to YOUR holiday playlist this year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

'Tis the season...for the 3rd Annual O3L Holiday Party, in which we invite members from the listener community to join us the recording of a special holiday themed episode. Joining us this year: Paul from Stockton, CA; Tony from Mira Loma, CA; Julio from Puebla, MX (the returning game champ); Brian (Brett's brother) from Escondido, CA; Dr. Don from Overland Park, KS; Julie from Los Angeles, CA; and Kimberly from Downey, CA (and straight outta Compton). Even if you missed the party, you're still invited to listen in on the fun! Everyone shares their fondest holiday musical memories. We play two exciting new O3L games. We talk about our "revolutionary" bands, Peter Pan Records, The Chipmunks, street cred, Hungarian cursing, Dr. Don ruining Christmas, Menudo (yes, the food and the singing sensations), bin diving, and much, much more. Plus, hear the world premiere of Brett's brand new holiday song, "Straight Down The Chimney"! A splendid time is guaranteed for all! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We hope you're still hungry for more O3L this week, because we've got a musical smorgasbord for you! In celebration of Thanksgiving, we are discussing our Top 5 classic alternative songs with a tie in to food - whether it be the song title, lyrics, theme or band name. It's a horn o' plenty...of fun! Come have a seat at our table - the grown-ups are boring anyway. Oh, and please send our apologies to Uncle Ernie and Grandma. Wherever you are, we want to take this opportunity to show our gratitude to all of you in the O3L Community. You have shared our passions, embraced and listened to our show, and have become dear friends, and that is a humbling and unbelievably rewarding experience. We're taking the rest of the weekend off to spend time with family, and we hope you do the same. #musicpodcast #musicpodcasts #podcasts #podnation #classicalternative #newwave #1stwave #punkrock #indierock #indiepop #powerpop #rocknrollmcdonalds #alternativerock #raspberryswirl #dontsmoke #hoser Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We've done the maths: Episode 138 is filled with a whopping (and quite coincidental) 138 minutes of "enjoyable weirdness." Joining us to discuss the Top 5 Albums of 1989 is the singer/songwriter/guitarist from London's The Jack Rubies, Ian Wright. From 1986 to 1990, The Jack Rubies released a clutch of singles and two albums on TVT Records - 1988's comp Fascinatin' Vacation and 1990's See The Money In My Smile - balancing the band's indie pop hooks and penchant for "cowboy songs" that explored the darker side of life. They amassed a following through tours with The Triffids, They Might Be Giants and Modern English, college radio airplay and videos in rotation on MTV's 120 Minutes. In 2022, The Jack Rubies are back with their first new material in 32 years, the single "Hidey Hole." Listen wherever you stream music or at https://thejackrubies.bandcamp.com. Plus: Uncle Gregg witnesses live executions! Brett reveals his bad boy side with record club alter egos and overdue library fines! Ian visits Weird America! Food, food and more food (including NY pizza)! Debating the merits of U2, The Boss and the latter-day Stones! Tastes great...or less filling? Mlah! #musicpodcast #musicpodcasts #classicalternative #alternativerock #punkrock #newwave #1stwave #powerpop #80smusic #indierock #indiepop Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oi, you happy heads! Jump on the rollercoaster and head straight into the heart of love, because this week we're turning the songs of 1979 inside out! With 1979 being arguably THE greatest year for songs within the O3L era, these are definitely the songs that changed our lives. If our thinly disguised song references weren't enough of a giveway, it is our biggest thrill (last one, we promise) to welcome the songwriter and guitarist from one of the most beloved groups in '80s British pop, David Newton from The Mighty Lemon Drops! We are celebrating their upcoming 5 CD box set, Inside Out: 1985-1990 on Cherry Red Records, containing their first three albums and a generous selection of singles, EP tracks, demos, radio sessions, live tracks and more. Dave takes on a journey from his first band in 1979, the Lemon Drops' first recordings on Dan Treacy's Dreamworld label, being a part of the legendary C86 compilation, their major label days on Chrysalis Records with big budget producers, studios and tours, the final days of the band, to present day. Also: The ugliest band in Britain! A throw down to Shawn Mendes fans! KC & The Serial Killer Band! Evan Dando! And will Uncle Gregg ever join The Mighty Lemon Drops on tour?!? #musicpodcast #musicpodcasts #podnation #c86 #britishpop #indiepop #indierock #guitarpop #postpunk #1979music #newwave #punkrock #1stwave #classicalternative #70smusic Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're not crying...YOU'RE crying! We're just cutting leeks or something. As Sir Elton John once sang, "sad songs say so much." Gee whiz, you hit that particular nail on the head, El. This week, the Lads ruminate on some of the saddest, most somber, depressing - and yet often comforting - songs of the O3L era. These are sad songs that definitely say so much. Joining us is one of the best songwriters of melancholic indie pop, Glenn Donaldson of The Reds, Pinks & Purples. Since the release of the first full length under the guise in 2019, Glenn has prolifically produced record after record of consistently great, jangly, doleful pop music, including this year's incredible Summer At Land's End. Complete your Reds, Pinks & Purples collection at: https://theredspinksandpurples.bandcamp.com - or ask for it at your local record shop! Lest you think that we've gone all sullen, this is probably the most fun you'll have listening to middle aged music dudes talking about sad songs! This episode is dedicated to the memory of Low's Mimi Parker. #musicpodcasts #musicpodcast #indiepop #janglepop #classicalternative #1stwave #newwave #indierock #grunge #synthpop #sadsongs #ripmimi Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, O3L is comin' at you L.A.M.F.! (Oh, that's Los Angeles Milk Family, of course...) We're talking American punk rock in the '70s. Our Third Lad this week is not only someone who experienced the music firsthand, but was one of the writers who championed and chronicled many of the greatest names in not only punk rock, but music in general. Michael Goldberg joined us for Episode 114 following his riveting book on the life of Jimmy Wilsey, Wicked Game, and returns to O3L to celebrate his latest release, Addicted to Noise: The Music Writings of Michael Goldberg, out now on Backbeat Books. Addicted To Noise collects the best interviews, profiles and essays Goldberg has written during his 40-plus years as a journalist. From combative interviews with Frank Zappa and Tom Waits to essays on how Jack Kerouac influenced Bob Dylan and the lasting importance of San Francisco’s first punk rock club, Goldberg, as novelist Dana Spiotta wrote, “shows us how consequential music can be.” Contained within these pages: interviews with Sleater-Kinney, Sonic Youth, Patti Smith, Lou Reed, Flipper, John Fogerty, Neil Young and Rick James, and profiles of Robbie Robertson, John Lee Hooker, James Brown, the Clash, Prince, Michael Jackson, the Flamin’ Groovies, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, X, Laurie Anderson, Brian Wilson, the Ramones, George Clinton, the Sex Pistols, Richard Thomson, Gil Scott-Heron, Stevie Wonder, George Clinton, Devo, San Francisco punks Crime and more. Plus short takes on Muddy Waters, Townes Van Zandt, Captain Beefheart, Professor Longhair and others. Also 50+ full page photos of some of the artists. As Greil Marcus writes in the Foreword, “You can feel the atmosphere: someone has walked into a room with a pencil in his hand—as the words go in perhaps the first song about a music critic, not counting Chuck Berry’s aside about the writers at the rhythm reviews—and suddenly people are relaxed. … He isn’t after your secrets. He doesn’t want to ruin your career to make his. He doesn’t care what you think you need to hide. He actually is interested in why and how you make your music and what you think of it. So people open up, very quickly, and, very quickly, as a reader, you’re not reading something you’ve read before.” The stories originally appeared in Rolling Stone, Downbeat, Esquire, New Musical Express, California magazine, Addicted To Noise, San Francisco Chronicle, Vibe, Creem, New York Rocker, and more. In the O3L Spotlight this week, we celebrate the return of late '80s London indie poppers The Jack Rubies! We play their new single, "Hidey Hole," which happens to conveniently be now available at: https://thejackrubies.bandcamp.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Only Three Lads is a fun, lively music commentary podcast celebrating the Golden Age of Alternative Music from 1974 - 1999. Each week, Uncle Gregg and Brett Vargo (and, in our earlier episodes, Bueno) run down their Top 5 lists for a different episode topic, aided and abetted by a variety of "Third Lads" - musicians, writers, comedians, fellow podcasters, or the collective O3L community. If you want to relive the best days of your life or discover music from the era that may have escaped you, and have a lot of laughs along the way, this is the show for you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

"Honesty is hardly ever heard." - Billy Joel Don't worry, we're not going all Billy Joel on you, but this week we're talking about the songs where honesty is heard loud and clear. True to this week's theme, we are elated to be joined by the brilliant writer Allison Landa, whose recently published memoir, Bearded Lady, is unflinchingly honest, bold, brave, vulnerable, funny-as-heck, and always engaging. Through Allison's eyes and sharp pen, we are all encouraged to find - and embrace - what makes us weird. Hey, we may not be Oprah and/or Michelle Obama, but this one is definitely endorsed by the O3L Book Club! Allison is also a friend of Brett's from high school, so that makes it extra special to have her on the show (Go Titans! Or Trojans! Or whatever!). Plus, Allison and Uncle Gregg battle it out in our latest world famous game, O3L Lie Detector! We also talk yogurt, chorizo, our ideal Lost Weekends, Danny Bonaduce, Carly Rae Jepsen, and why Gregg shouldn't always follow his "policy of truth." Oh, and there's smut. Lots and lots of smut. We guarantee that this one will bring a smile to your face. C'mon...would WE lie to you? For more information on Allison Landa and Bearded Lady, visit: https://www.woodhallpress.com/bearded-lady Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is PART ONE of our conversation with the great Jeff Murphy from Shoes. Stay tuned for the second part where we get into our Top 5 lists! Of course, we travel all over the musical and geographical map on O3L. This week, we stop firmly in the heartland of the ol' US of A - the 12 states that the Census Bureau has declared as the midwest. Far away from the show-biz epicenters of Los Angeles and New York, we celebrate the bands who crafted brilliant music and created their own homegrown scenes often in unlikely locations. Our special Third Lad for this discussion is a musician whom we've loved and admired for many years, none other than singer/songwriter/guitarist/producer Jeff Murphy from melodic pop/rock legends Shoes. Jeff takes us through the nearly 50 year history of Shoes, from an imaginary band with a tape recorder to DIY indie pioneers to a major label, big producers and some of the first videos shown on MTV, and ultimately returning to their independent roots in the mid-80s (and never looking back!). Along with his bassist brother John Murphy and guitarist Gary Klebe, the nucleus of this important group split the writing and singing duties on classic records such as Black Vinyl Shoes (1977), Present Tense (1979), Tongue Twister (1981), Boomerang (1982), and Silhouette (1984). Jeff has also notably produced bands such as Material Issue and pre-Garbage band Spooner in Shoes' Short Order Recorder Studio. This is an epic two-parter that you don't want to miss! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is PART TWO of our conversation with the great Jeff Murphy from Shoes, where we get into our Top 5 lists. If you haven't already, make sure to check out the first part for much more! Of course, we travel all over the musical and geographical map on O3L. This week, we stop firmly in the heartland of the ol' US of A - the 12 states that the Census Bureau has declared as the midwest. Far away from the show-biz epicenters of Los Angeles and New York, we celebrate the bands who crafted brilliant music and created their own homegrown scenes often in unlikely locations. Our special Third Lad for this discussion is a musician whom we've loved and admired for many years, none other than singer/songwriter/guitarist/producer Jeff Murphy from melodic pop/rock legends Shoes. Jeff takes us through the nearly 50 year history of Shoes, from an imaginary band with a tape recorder to DIY indie pioneers to a major label, big producers and some of the first videos shown on MTV, and ultimately returning to their independent roots in the mid-80s (and never looking back!). Along with his bassist brother John Murphy and guitarist Gary Klebe, the nucleus of this important group split the writing and singing duties on classic records such as Black Vinyl Shoes (1977), Present Tense (1979), Tongue Twister (1981), Boomerang (1982), and Silhouette (1984). Jeff has also notably produced bands such as Material Issue and pre-Garbage band Spooner in Shoes' Short Order Recorder Studio. This is an epic two-parter that you don't want to miss! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Put on your spelunking gear and go deep into some of the classic albums of the O3L era. This week, we're picking out some album tracks on well-loved records that weren't plucked as singles, played to death on the radio, or endlessly compiled. Along the way through this classic alternative cave, Uncle Gregg stumbles down all sorts of side holes, lamenting missed opportunities and defining his ideal woman. And what shall he dress up as for Halloween? Cast your vote! Meanwhile, Brett recognizes O3L's key demographic and attempts to update the show's vernacular with some modern slang. The first person to post them all (at least 23 words/phrases are used) wins an O3L t-shirt! Our O3L Spotlight is shining on a previous guest, our lovely new friend Helen McCookerybook. During Episode 121, Helen revealed that she had a new album coming out called Drawing On My Dreams...and now it's here! From this spare, intimate, charming record, we play "Wake Up (And Smell The Coffee)". Download or buy the CD from: https://helenmccookerybook.bandcamp.com/album/drawing-on-my-dreams. #musicpodcast #musicpodcasts #PodNation #1stwave #classicalternative #newwave #punkrock #goth #synthpop #80smusic #deepcuts #mod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Get ready for a powerful O3L...and not just because we're talking about '80s power pop. This week, we are very pleased to welcome Renee Schyjer, wife, muse and soulmate of rockin', rollin', power-poppin', wild feline frontman Freddy Moore. Whether you know him as Freddy, his Midwest alter ego Skogie or mild-mannered offstage Rick, Frederick Moore was quite possibly the biggest rock star you've never heard of. Freddy had it at all. The looks, the charisma, the chops, the songs. In the late '60s and early '70s, his band Skogie and the Flaming Pachucos reached local stardom and small-scale Beatle-level adulation. After moving to LA in the late '70s, they evolved into The Kats (and later The Nu-Kats). The Kats sold out every major club in Los Angeles, from Madame Wong's to the Whiskey to the Starwood to the Troubadour, headlining alongside bands like The Police, The Knack and The Motels. The Kats were offered dozens of record deals. They turned down every single one. KISS's Gene Simmons wanted to manage them. He was married at the time to a rising movie star named Demi Moore. Yes, Freddy seemingly had it all...yet rock n' roll stardom eluded him. In 2014, Moore received the frightening diagnosis that he had developed early-onset Alzheimer's. With Renee's tireless love, help and research, Rick was able to hold onto his memories as long as he could to share them with the world. Co-written with Shannon Guyton, the result is It's Not A Rumour, an unorthodox, hysterical story of survival, and making it big in music without ever making a dime. It's an "almost famous" chronicle woven together with lyrics, photos, and memorabilia. It's Not A Rumour is available from Amazon or other fine retailers. In between booking Renee on the show and our release, Frederick Moore passed away on August 25, 2022. We dedicate this episode to his memory, and hope it is the celebration of life, love and music that he deserves. Hear more of Freddy Moore's music at: http://demophonic.com/ In the O3L Spotlight this week is a Philadelphia-based band that WRKC's DJ Calc hipped us to, The Tisburys. We play "Language of Luxury" from their latest album, the gutsily titled Exile On Main Street. It's a great record touched by the influence of Springsteen, The Replacements, modern indie rock, '90s college rock and power pop. Check it out wherever you buy/stream music or at https://tisburys.bandcamp.com. #musicpodcast #musicpodcasts #PodNation #powerpop #LAmusic #newwave #punkrock #indierock #indiepop #80smusic #demimoore #itsnotarumour #alzheimersawareness Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Well, we've finally gone and done it! After spending multiple episodes last season digging into Athens, GA music with some of the scene's most pivotal figures, the Randomizer has decided that it's time to dedicate an entire episode to the Classic (Alternative) City! We discuss so many greats in this episode, from REM, The B-52's, Pylon, Love Tractor, Oh-OK, Magnapop, Kilkenny Cats, Flat Duo Jets, Bar-B-Que Killers, The Method Actors, The Glands, Matthew Sweet, Of Montreal, The Michael Guthrie Band, Neutral Milk Hotel, The Side Effects, Green Thrift Grocery and a lot more. If you've got Georgia on your mind, then this is the episode for you. Oh, and did we mention Squalls? Because our Third Lad this week is another Athens luminary, Bob Hay from Squalls. Squalls played a unique brand of quirky pop that was equal parts Lovin' Spoonful, Grateful Dead and Talking Heads, and got many a person up on the dance floor from 1981 to 1989. They released four recordings and were included in the essential 1986 documentary on the scene, Athens, GA: Inside/Out. We are celebrating the release of Live From The 40 Watt, capturing Squalls at their best with 24 tracks recorded live at the legendary 40 Watt Club by soundman Pat "The Wiz" Biddle over five nights from 1983-85. The album is now available on CD, 2 LPs or digitally from Strolling Bones Records. More info: https://strollingbonesrecords.com On November 4, 2022, Propeller Sound Recordings will begin their reissue campaign of the Squalls studio catalogue, starting with a remastered and expanded full-length version of their 1984 self-titled debut EP. More info: https://propellersoundrecordings.com For all the latest Squalls news, visit http://squalls.band/ Special thanks to Pylon's Vanessa Briscoe Hay, Leigh Rixey from Strolling Bones Records and Angie Carlson from Propeller Publicity for their help in making this all come together! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

45 minutes! "Concise" isn't usually the word that you'd use to describe O3L, but this week we bring you a concise episode that's almost live. This one was recorded, edited, produced and published mere hours before release. Anything goes... This week, we pay tribute to Queen Elizabeth II and count down our Top 5 Royal Songs - in other words, songs containing regal titles in the titles (huh?). Our Spotlight Artist of the Week is The Radio Field from Dusseldorf, Germany. The Radio Field is Lars Schmidt from long-standing indie pop band Subterfuge, with a little help from his friends. We play their brand new single "Clover," from the upcoming Simple EP on September 30th. If you like your pop jangly, then this is for you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How punk is this week's episode, you ask? First of all, the Third Lad this week is Matt Dell. Matt was the singer for Canadian pop/punk band I've Got Gloria, and is now a full-time, evidence-based vocal coach and music teacher with Registers Music. Through his innovative techniques, Matt is working with singers, bands and actors to harness the power of their voices. As his website states, "Learn to free your voice, not fear it!" Find out more at https://registersmusic.com. Plus, Matt gives the Lads a screamo lesson. They talk domestic bliss, standup comedy, Celine Dion and Boy Meets World. They get mature, crochety and compare aches and pains. Yeah, punk rock!! Of course, they also really *do* talk about punk rock. Near...far...wherever you are, rest assured O3L will go on. #musicpodcast #musicpodcasts #podnation #punkrock #classicalternative #punk #70smusic #80smusic #90smusic #newwave #singers #vocals #vocalists #voicelessons #boymeetsworld #topanga Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Get ready for a spiffy new episode of Only Three Lads! It's Brett's birthday, so what better way to celebrate than with one of his favourite O3L-era topics, Britpop. In this Be Here Now-sized episode (c'mon, you Britpop kids get it!), relive the records, stories, triumphs, tragedies, superstars and should-have-beens of the biggest British musical and cultural phenomenon of the '90s. This week, we've got two yangs to Uncle Gregg's yin, as our Third Lad is Paul Laird, author of the new book The Birth and Impact of Britpop: Mis-Shapes, Scenesters and Insatiable Ones. Rather than simply rehashing familiar Britpop lore, or attempting an academic, exhaustive analysis at the scene, Laird weaves a compelling, personal tale of his Britpop experience. It's a wonderful look at Britpop from a fan's eyes, exploring not only the bands who "made it," but some of the great bands that existed under the surface. Whether you were actually there or not, you'll feel like you were. Buy The Birth and Impact of Britpop from Amazon, other fine booksellers, or: Pen and Sword Books: The Birth and Impact of Britpop - Hardback (pen-and-sword.co.uk) Our O3L Spotlight Artist of the Week is The Photocopies. The Photocopies is the brainchild of Michigan based Londoner Sean Turner, who plays unapologetically old-school indie pop in the vein of the C86 scene of the mid-80s to early-90s. We heard the great DJ Calc play a few tracks on his recent Tuesday night radio show on WRKC, and we were suitably blown away. The Photocopies’ previous singles and b-sides have all been marvelously compiled on Greatest Hits Volume 1 & 2 and Et Cetera: B-sides and More, or get all three albums under the title of Pop Trivia. Track after track of guitar pop brilliance fly by, and it's highly, highly recommended stuff. From Greatest Hits Vol. 2, we play “Anywhere Without You.” The Photocopies: https://thephotocopies.bandcamp.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we're all about showing the love to the '90s artists that we feel are underrated. Well, we're all about that, and talk sports, celebrity death matches, Finnish politics and classic Dr. Seuss characters...but we're mostly about underrated artists of the '90s. Apropos to this topic, we are very pleased to welcome author Andy Frye as our Third Lad. Andy is a music and sports scribe who has written for notable publications such as Rolling Stone, ESPN and Forbes, and has interviewed hundreds of personalities ranging from Morrissey to Tom Brady. Andy's latest endeavor is the novel Ninety Days in the 90s, a rock n' roll time travel adventure following Wall Street trader-turned-record store owner Darby, as she discovers Chicago's mythical Gray Line train that will allow her to return to 1996 for 90 days. It's a music-filled nostalgia trip that asks the question: What would you do differently if you could relive the past? Order the book at: https://90daysinthe90s.com For more information on Andy Frye: https://andyfrye.com This week's O3L Spotlight Artist of the Week is London's Valentina Way. Valentina Way exist somewhere in south London between 1969 and 1971 - with their jangle-pop guitars, Beach Boy vocal harmonies, garage organ, flute and Penny Lane trumpet solos. Musically, the band take their cue from the cover of "Sugar Sugar" by Cornershop, David Cassidy, Karen Carpenter, Micky Dolenz, Gilbert O'Sullivan, Bay City Rollers, and any garage band from the '60s who didn't quite make it. We share the marvelously wistful track "Ben Sherman" from their debut album Imaginary Weekends. Listen to more Valentina Way at https://soundcloud.com/valentinaway. Follow Valentina Way on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ValentinaWay5 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Whether you spent the decade at the clubs covered in foam or not, electronic music was everywhere in the '90s. Much like those foam parties, Uncle Gregg and Brett (aka DJ B-Var, aka Graham Cracker?!?) get wild, bubbly, frothy, and are naked from the waist down. OK, so one of those things is not true, but we'll let you decide which one... This week, The Orchids are back in the O3L Spotlight, and we are privileged to play the second single off of their upcoming album Dreaming Kind, called "Didn't We Love You." Dare we say it's even better than the last one, which is saying something, because that was great as well! The Orchids were one of the great Sarah Records bands, releasing three albums of swooning, sophisticated pop music for the label: Lyceum (1989), Unholy Soul (1991), and Striving For The Lazy Perfection (1994). Dreaming Kind is the Glasgow band's first album since 2014, and is out on 2 September on Skep Wax Records. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sup up your beer and collect your, um, elk bagels (???) and meet us down at The Eatin' Rifles, as we gab about one of the greatest artists of the O3L era, Paul Weller with the marvelous Terry Banks from Dot Dash! Terry followed The Jam's career in real time and counts them among his biggest influences. Brett is a Weller uber-fan, and Uncle Gregg is a casual fan who is diving deep into the Weller-hole. Whether it be with The Jam, The Style Council, or his long, prolific solo career, Paul Weller is an icon who has maintained a restlessly creative and unfathomably successful career for 45 years, racking up a staggering 65 Top 40 singles in the UK, including 21 Top 10’s, and 38 Top 10 albums, including his two most recent studio albums landing at #1. His career serves almost as a microcosm of pop culture - from Class of ‘77 punk rock to being the driving figure behind the ‘79 mod revival to the evolution and sophistication of British pop in the ‘80s by incorporating elements of soul, jazz, synth pop, rap and acid house to a solo career that found him sharing the charts with the Britpop artists he influenced, eventually settling into his current role as a rock n’ roll survivor who staunchly refuses to become a legacy act. In a recording career spanning more than 30 years, Terry Banks has played as/with St. Christopher, Tree Fort Angst, Glo-Worm, The Saturday People, Julie Ocean, and has released six albums to date with Dot Dash. We play a few cuts from Terry's past, plus a glimpse into the future, with a rough mix of a brand new track called "Space Junk, Satellites." Dot Dash's releases can be found on previous O3L guest Wally Salem's wonderful label The Beautiful Music...and thanks to Wally for making the introduction! #musicpodcast #musicpodcasts #podnation #thejam #paulweller #weller #stylecouncil #punkrock #sophistipop #heavysoul #70smusic #80smusic #90smusic #newwave #1stwave #classicalternative Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Turn off your mind, relax and float downstream...or is it tune in, turn on, drop out? Either way, pour yourself a nutmeg tea and join us as we trip out, um, we mean discuss our Top 5 Psychedelic Albums of the O3L era. It's all in the mind! Our Third Lad this week is the "wild man of C86," singer/songwriter/guitarist Robert Sekula of the Brighton, England indie band 14 Iced Bears. Formed in Brighton in 1985, their jangly indie pop was characterized by a fuzzy protopunk-influenced guitar sound, receiving critical acclaim in Britain's music press as well as prompting disc jockey John Peel to recruit them to record a couple of BBC sessions. The group released a handful of singles, including "Come Get Me" on the influential Sarah label, and two full-length albums that found the band progressively getting more psychedelic: the eponymous 14 Iced Bears (1988), and Wonder (1991). This week, we play Rob's brand new single, the melodic earworm "Pamela." It's a song that's been kicking around in Sekula's setlist - and mind - for years, and (true story) caused the late Alex Chilton to exclaim "You never wrote that!" Plus, Rob and Uncle Gregg square off in the hottest new O3L game, Psych? or Psych!, in which our contestants compete to guess which absurd psychedelic band names are real...and which ones are fake. A splendid time is guaranteed for all! Robert Sekula / 14 Iced Bears: https://14icedbears.bandcamp.com https://www.facebook.com/14icedbears https://twitter.com/the14icedbears #musicpodcast #musicpodcasts #podnation #14icedbears #psychedelicrock #psychedelicmusic #punkrock #newwave #janglepop #indierock #indiepop #freakfolk #paisleyunderground #c86 #sarahrecords Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

**Please note: This is Part ONE of our two part episode.** Yeah, we're brassed off this week...but in a good way, because this week we're back with a two-parter discussing our Top 5 Songs with Horns with one the loveliest guests we've ever had on, HELEN McCOOKERYBOOK! Helen McCookerybook started playing bass in Brighton, England punk bands in the 1970s, before forming the John Peel-approved indie bands The Chefs and Helen and The Horns. Since then, Helen has embarked on a productive solo career, has taught songwriting and music production, and has published two well-respected books - The Lost Women of Rock Music: Female Musicians of the Punk Era and She's at the Controls: Sound Engineering, Production and Gender Ventriloquism in the 21st Century. The former inspired the documentary film that she co-produced with Gina Birch from The Raincoats, entitled Stories from the She-Punks. She's currently out playing gigs and has a new album on tap for October 7th, Drawing On My Dreams. Oh, and did we mention that she's a REAL LIFE PhD of Music? Sorry, Rocktor... Helen was so magnificent that we had to make this one a two parter. In Part 1, we discuss her career and current endeavors, and in Part 2, we get down to our lists. Of course, you'll want to listen to both of them! So tell us, who do *you* want to be today?!? Someone who listens to O3L, that's who. This week's O3L Spotlight artist is MONICA QUEEN. Monica is perhaps best known as the guest vocalist on Belle and Sebastian's 1997 single "Lazy Line Painter Jane." She's back with a new single, a cover of Vic Godard's "Stop That Girl," from the upcoming album of the same name. Monica Queen: https://twitter.com/monicaqueen4?lang=en Helen McCookerybook: http://mccookerybook.com #musicpodcast #musicpodcasts #songswithhorns #brassmusic #classicalternative #1stwave #newwave #punkrock #indiepop #indierock #ska #skapunk #70smusic #80smusic #90smusic #helenmccookerybook #monicaqueen #O3L Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

**NOTE: This is Part TWO of our two part episode.** Yeah, we're brassed off this week...but in a good way, because this week we're back with a two-parter discussing our Top 5 Songs with Horns with one the loveliest guests we've ever had on, HELEN McCOOKERYBOOK! Helen McCookerybook started playing bass in Brighton, England punk bands in the 1970s, before forming the John Peel-approved indie bands The Chefs and Helen and The Horns. Since then, Helen has embarked on a productive solo career, has taught songwriting and music production, and has published two well-respected books - The Lost Women of Rock Music: Female Musicians of the Punk Era and She's at the Controls: Sound Engineering, Production and Gender Ventriloquism in the 21st Century. The former inspired the documentary film that she co-produced with Gina Birch from The Raincoats, entitled Stories from the She-Punks. She's currently out playing gigs and has a new album on tap for October 7th, Drawing On My Dreams. Oh, and did we mention that she's a REAL LIFE PhD of Music? Sorry, Rocktor... Helen was so magnificent that we had to make this one a two parter. In Part 1, we discuss her career and current endeavors, and in Part 2, we get down to our lists. Of course, you'll want to listen to both of them! So tell us, who do *you* want to be today?!? Someone who listens to O3L, that's who. This week's O3L Spotlight artist is MONICA QUEEN. Monica is perhaps best known as the guest vocalist on Belle and Sebastian's 1997 single "Lazy Line Painter Jane." She's back with a new single, a cover of Vic Godard's "Stop That Girl," from the upcoming album of the same name. Monica Queen: https://twitter.com/monicaqueen4?lang=en Helen McCookerybook: http://mccookerybook.com #musicpodcast #musicpodcasts #songswithhorns #brassmusic #classicalternative #1stwave #newwave #punkrock #indiepop #indierock #ska #skapunk #70smusic #80smusic #90smusic #helenmccookerybook #monicaqueen #O3L Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Who likes to rock the party, you ask? Why, that's a good question...because WE just so happen to like to rock the party! Get ready for the wildest classic alternative rager ever, going down RIGHT NOW at Club O3L. Everyone is invited (except for YOU, Rob Reiner!). It's a DJ throwdown this week, as DJ B-Var ("Gnawing the logs of funk, baby!") squares off against DJ Greggy P ("Take a journey down the Greggy P hole"). This is one party you don't want to miss! Oh, and there may be leather and foam involved... This week's O3L Spotlight is on Goliath, a young singer/songwriter from Glasgow who just released his lovely, poignant and vulnerable new single "Everybody Cries." It is a song, in his words "about loss, growth and acceptance." It recently attracted praise by the likes of Duglas T. Stewart from BMX Bandits and Fran Healy from Travis, and you can add O3L to the growing list of Goliath's supporters. Buy Goliath's music at: https://goliathmusic.bandcamp.com Follow Goliath on Twitter: https://twitter.com/enima_tek Heck, while you're at it, follow O3L on Twitter: https://twitter.com/onlythreeladsp1 #musicpodcast #musicpodcasts #partymusic #classicalternative #1stwave #newwave #punkrock #mod #britpop #synthpop #altmetal #80smusic #90smusic Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brett and Uncle Gregg don't always agree on things, including the top albums of 1993. But you know what they do agree on? Gregg ruins everything! Love, Mr. Grumpypants This week's O3L Spotlight artist is Scottish indie pop institution The Orchids. The Orchids formed in Glasgow in 1985 and recorded three splendid albums for the legendary Sarah Records label from 1989-94. Since reforming in the mid-2000s, they have released three more studio albums and a 30-year career retrospective in 2017. They're back in 2022 with a new single, "This Boy Is A Mess," with a full length, Dreaming Kind, to follow in September on Skep Wax, a brilliant new indie label formed by fellow Sarah alum Amelia Fletcher and Rob Pursey from Heavenly. The Orchids: Music | The Orchids (bandcamp.com) Skep Wax: Artists | Skep Wax (bandcamp.com) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If YOU like piña coladas, then come with us and escape. Of course, even if you don't like piña coladas, you're still welcome, because this episode we cover our top songs from 1980. Yes, among the smooth soft rock, schmaltzy ballads and booty-bumpin' disco was some truly groundbreaking classic alternative songs. As the Hungarians say, "dog poop on your nose!" We think. Plus, in the O3L Spotlight this week is the new single, "Wildfire" by Manchester artist Minerva Daisy. It's an empowering, sultry and summery indie-pop track that we are confident will replicate the Top 40 success of previous single "Euphoria." "Wildfire" is available on all platforms on July 15th. For more information on Minerva Daisy, go to: https://www.minervadaisy.co.uk/ #musicpodcast #1stwave #newwave #punkrock #indiepop #classicalternative #punkrock Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hey, hep cats! This week, we celebrate our "homer picks" - the classic alternative era artists and bands from our respective areas who made an impact on us. Uncle Gregg is representing "the Valley of the Sunstroke," Phoenix, AZ, while Brett is bringing eternal sunshine from the paradise of San Diego, CA. Plus, we share the picks from some of the "Third Lads" of the O3L Community around the world. There's no place like home! We also host the inaugural O3L Poetry Slam, talk new music, Kardashians, moms, eating pet food, TikTok, awkward pauses, and other stuff that doesn't really have much to do with hometown heroes. Our O3L Spotlight Artist of the Week is the classic UK indie pop band The Chesterfields. 38 years since they formed in Yeovil, Somerset, and 28 years since their last record release, The Chesterfields are back in July 2022 with a new single “Our Songbird Has Gone”, a song that founder member Simon Barber has written about his original co-conspirator in the band Dave Goldsworthy, who was tragically killed in a hit and run accident in 2003. A new album New Modern Homes (co-produced and mixed by John Parish, who produced The Chesterfields’ debut Kettle in 1987) will follow in September, with gigs to be announced for a short tour in October. The current line-up features Simon on bass and vocals, Rob Parry on drums, Helen Stickland on guitar and vocals, and Andy Strickland (of The Loft and The Caretaker Race) on guitar and vocals. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Flurgy flurga...after an unexpected week off due to dang COVID, O3L is back! This episode, we're hanging out at the local Hot Topic to chat about our favorite punk "bangers" of the '90s. Of course, we also talk about a myriad of other stuff - bathrooms for the rich, German lessons, groupies, Uncle Gregg in love, and Brett's shocking secret. Our O3L spotlight for the week is The White Collars, an up-and-coming San Diego band whose new album, Vintage Collars, is out now! https://www.instagram.com/the.white.collars/ Also included are shout outs to David Bash and Stuff By Mark! #musicpodcast #musicpodcasts #punkrock #90spunk #garagerock #riotgrrrl #poppunk #mallpunk #hottopic #whitecollars Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Atten-HUT! Join Laverne, Shirl, Squealy and the gang through a rip-roarin, time-travelin', pubis-hurtin' adventure back to the year 1981. It was the year of MTV...The Greatest American Hero...LASITA (c'mon, you kids know)...and a whole lotta great classic alternative music. Join us as we cover our Top 5 Albums from this pivotal year. And, yes, in case you were wondering, hi-jinks DO ensue! So, if you are one of the literally millions of people shouting "I Want My O3L!", this one's for you. Remember, your commanding pig is instructing you to listen up. #musicpodcast #classicalternative #1stwave #newwave #mtvgeneration #punkrock #postpunk #synthpop #powerpop #indiepop #albumsof1981 #80smusic Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Reverent" isn't exactly a word that you usually associate with Only Three lads. But that's the best word to describe this week's episode, as we pay tribute to some of the dearly departed heroes of the O3L era. They may be gone...but they will never be forgotten. We talk a lot about James Calvin Wilsey. It's a name you may not recognize, but we guarantee you've heard him play guitar. Jimmy started his professional career as the bassist in San Francisco punk legends The Avengers before joining forces in Silvertone with Chris Isaak. Yeah, that's Jimmy who wrote and played the haunting lead guitar lines in "Wicked Game." Jimmy's life, career and tragic death are chronicled in Wicked Game: The True Story of Guitarist James Calvin Wilsey, penned by our Third Lad this week, the esteemed Michael Goldberg. Michael has been a respected and renowned music journalist since the '70s, serving as Senior Writer for Rolling Stone magazine for a decade, as well as writing for Creem, NME, Musician, and other notable music publications. In 1994, he founded the first online music magazine, Addicted to Noise, which garnered him a spot on Newsweek's 1995 list of the "50 People Who Matter Most on the Internet." For more information on Wicked Game, visit https://hozacrecords.com. A portion of the proceeds go to Jimmy Wilsey's teenage son Waylon. Also, on this week's O3L Spotlight, we feature music by TV Party! Buy their self titled debut album at: https://tvparty1.bandcamp.com/album/tv-party. #musicpodcast #musicpodcasts #RIP #wickedgame #punkrock #1stwave #newwave #indierock #indiepop #classicalternative #alternativerock #guitarhero Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to the 1st Annual...oops, the Inaugural O3L Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. Tired of your favorite classic alternative musicians getting the shaft in Cleveland? Well, we're going to show some of these artists some love (and give you something else to complain about!) as we induct our Class of 2022 into the HOF. Who made it? Who got snubbed this year? We've inducted our first 10, and we're going to ask YOU to help us add two more to our virtual shrine. Post your picks on our social media feeds, and the most popular choices (based on posts and post reactions) will be announced next week! Of course, before you think that we're going to be all polished and professional for our fancy awards ceremony, you know us better than that. Just put it this way...a lot of this stuff would get cut out of the HBO telecast. In a new feature called O3L Spotlight, we play "I Found You" by the Cambridge, England band The New Fools, from their new album Vanille. HOME | The New Fools And, when you get done with this episode, why not head over and check out our friends at the Never Loved Elvis pod? https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/never-loved-elvis/id1536083420. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

**PART 1 of 2** Aye, dinnae miss this one or well gie ye a skelpit lug! OK, we won't really, but we've got a special two parter for you this week, as we discuss our favourite Scottish albums with JIM SHEPHERD from The Jasmine Minks! Aberdeen, Scotland's Jasmine Minks were one of Creation Records' earliest signings, scoring two UK Top 30 indie singles ("What's Happening" and "Cold Heart") and sharing the stage with the likes of Jesus And Mary Chain and Primal Scream. So respected were the Minks that they were the only band that Creation boss Alan McGee took with him to his next label, Poptones. Minks' singer/ songwriter/ guitarist Jim Shepherd is back with a brand new solo album, The Circle, now available on Spinout Nuggets. For the record, Shepherd has assembled an indie supergroup featuring Dave Morgan (The Loft, the Weather Prophets, Subway Sect) on drums and production, Frank Sweeney (The June Brides) on strings and keyboards and Arash Torabi (The June Brides, The Distractions, Beat Hotel) on bass, with guest vocals by Tommy Reid (The Jasmine Minks), Beth Arzy (The Luxembourg Signal, Jetstream Pony), Aberdeen’s Vapour Trails and Marianne Dissard. It is available from: https://spinoutnuggets.bandcamp.com/album/the-circle On these episodes, you'll hear fantastic stories from the early days of Creation. Drugs. Half pints. Space porn. Hiking porn. All the porns, really. It's good craic, this one. P.S. If you like O3L, check out our friends at the Never Loved Elvis podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/never-loved-elvis/id1536083420. It's a perfect marriage of knowledge, ignorance and humour! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

**PART 2 of 2** Aye, dinnae miss this one or well gie ye a skelpit lug! OK, we won't really, but we've got a special two parter for you this week, as we discuss our favourite Scottish albums with JIM SHEPHERD from The Jasmine Minks! Aberdeen, Scotland's Jasmine Minks were one of Creation Records' earliest signings, scoring two UK Top 30 indie singles ("What's Happening" and "Cold Heart") and sharing the stage with the likes of Jesus And Mary Chain and Primal Scream. So respected were the Minks that they were the only band that Creation boss Alan McGee took with him to his next label, Poptones. Minks' singer/ songwriter/ guitarist Jim Shepherd is back with a brand new solo album, The Circle, now available on Spinout Nuggets. For the record, Shepherd has assembled an indie supergroup featuring Dave Morgan (The Loft, the Weather Prophets, Subway Sect) on drums and production, Frank Sweeney (The June Brides) on strings and keyboards and Arash Torabi (The June Brides, The Distractions, Beat Hotel) on bass, with guest vocals by Tommy Reid (The Jasmine Minks), Beth Arzy (The Luxembourg Signal, Jetstream Pony), Aberdeen’s Vapour Trails and Marianne Dissard. It is available from: https://spinoutnuggets.bandcamp.com/album/the-circle On these episodes, you'll hear fantastic stories from the early days of Creation. Drugs. Half pints. Space porn. Hiking porn. All the porns, really. It's good craic, this one. P.S. If you like O3L, check out our friends at the Never Loved Elvis podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/never-loved-elvis/id1536083420. It's a perfect marriage of knowledge, ignorance and humour! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices