
The Ugly American Werewolf in London Rock Podcast
328 episodes — Page 1 of 7
UAWIL #285: Blue Oyster Cult - Agents of Fortune
UAWIL #284: Def Leppard - Slang with Neil from Def Lep Pod
First Concert Memories #34: Rage Against The Machine with Ryan Condal of House of the Dragon
UAWIL #283: Stewart Copeland's Police - Deranged for Orchestra
UAWIL #282: Jeff Beck - Wired
UAWIL #281: The Rolling Stones - Black & Blue

S1 Ep 280UAWIL #280: Robert Plant Live
ERobert Plant is one of the true legends of rock n roll. His vocals made Led Zeppelin the biggest band in the world and his solo career is now in its 5th decade encompassing all sorts of different musical styles and genres. But Robert isn't a man who needs to trade on his past to get by. While he doesn't forget where he comes from, he's one to always push forward to explore new sounds and new collaborators to fulfill his yearning for making music. It makes for a great night out with Suzi Dian and Saving Grace, with whom he recorded an album of celtic/bluegrass/country tunes, all of which were covers or traditionals. His voice is still very smooth and perfect for the music he's choosing to make today. He doesn't have the ferocious yawp of 70s Robert Plant but he reworks some Zeppelin classics to fit the style of his band, the music he plays and how he performs today. So you'll hear about a reworked Ramble On, a true to form Four Sticks and a raucous version of Friends. But he also gives Calling to You a makeover, as well as an amazing and soulful I'm In The Mood which he and Suzi make new again with their voices in unison. If you want to see a bunch of Zeppelin tunes performed the way they sounded on the albums, go see Jason Bonham's Led Zeppelin Evening (you can hear our review of that show from November, 2025) as it's an awesome show. But if you want to see a true legend still shine with new music and some nods to his past, you might not have a better night than seeing Robert Plant on this tour. Check out our new website: Ugly American Werewolf in London Website Visit our sponsor RareVinyl.com and use code UGLY to save 10% off one ENTIRE ORDER! bit.ly/UAWILRocks Twitter Threads Instagram YouTube LInkTree www.pantheonpodcasts.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

S1 Ep 279UAWIL #279: Suzi Quatro Interview
ESuzi Quatro has been rocking out live for 7 decades. Since she was a teenager with her sisters in The Pleasure Seekers in the mid-60's she has been on stage, singing, playing her bass and proving that she rocks hard, no matter what box you may try to put her in. Suzi's new album Freedom is available for purchase and download and it's a rocker from start to finish. The title track is the lead single and she discusses how she and her son wrote that one and how she immediately knew it was a new anthem for her. They bring back that old Detroit raunchy-rock riffing with Suzi's unique voice on songs like Here's Ya Boots, Nobody Held My Hand and Shakedown and she even teams up with fellow Detroiter Alice Cooper on the MC5 classic Kick Out The Jams (and yes, Suzi says the expletive after Kick Out The Jams). Hear not only about how she made this record, one of her best in years, but about her long career, about moving to England in 1971 alone, touring the world, making fun of nerdy interviewers, being a mom and being her unstoppable, determined self. Of course we ask a Happy Days question but are so glad she didn't keep reprising Leather Tuscadero so we could get more of the real Suzi Quatro over the last 50 years. Learn more about Freedom and Suzi's tour dates here: suziquatro.com Check out our new website: Ugly American Werewolf in London Website Visit our sponsor RareVinyl.com and use code UGLY to save 10% off one ENTIRE ORDER! bit.ly/UAWILRocks Twitter Threads Instagram YouTube LInkTree www.pantheonpodcasts.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

First Concert Memories #33: Steve Kilbey of The Church
ESteve Kilbey, the long-time lead singer, bassist & lead songwriter for The Church has had a career that spans half a century. As he has just taken the band around Australia on their The Singles Tour and prepare to hit the US with it this summer, we checked in with our entertaining friend for the first time since ep 200 of The Ugly American Werewolf in London Rock Podcast. Though we start out as we do with all First Concert Memories episodes - by reliving a special moment in our guest's live that revolved around a live rock show - we veered to take a holistic look at his career rather than rehashing a night from long ago. Steve saw The Easybeats - Australia's answer to The Beatles - in short pants at age 11 and had to fight off teenage girls for drum sticks and from there he knew playing music live was something he could and would do. Steve regales us with stories of growing up in Oz, importing UK & US rock magazines so he'd be ahead of the curve and how his father, a musician that moved his family from the UK in search of a better life, was a huge supporter of his once he found his passion. Kilbey also talks about being disappointed in seeing his favorite bands live (T. Rex, Roxy Music did not give fantastic live performances when he saw them) and how that affects his approach to live music today. He navigated the cover and blues bands to find his sound and testifies that learning how to use a 4 track TEAC recorder gave him the confidence not to back down to the engineers and producers once he started to work in studios. He also is a bit regretful of how he treated his bandmates in the early days when it came to playing on his songs. However, he and The Church would figure a way to work together and produce some of the best guitar music of the 80s and beyond. The band in its current configuration seem to be humming on all cylinders and are ready to take on the USA again. We found Steve to be honest, reflective, and funny. Not necessarily regretful but aware of who he is and how he has gotten to where he is. In 6 years, this was instantly one of our very favorite conversations with a man who has written thousands of songs and isn't stopping anytime soon. Check out US tour dates for The Church: thechurchband.com Check out our new website: Ugly American Werewolf in London Website Visit our sponsor RareVinyl.com and use code UGLY to save 10% off one ENTIRE ORDER! bit.ly/UAWILRocks Twitter Threads Instagram YouTube LInkTree www.pantheonpodcasts.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

S1 Ep 278UAWIL #278: Rick & Oliver Wakeman Live
As we've learned after 6 years of doing the show, once you interview someone you have a greater interest in seeing them play live. Maybe because you're invested in their career, maybe because they've shared stories of the inspiration for their music or maybe you just find them charming and want to support them. All of the above are true for Oliver Wakeman as he's been on our show several times and has shared stories about growing up with a famous father in Rick Wakeman. And because Oliver shared that Rick wasn't able to be around much as he was growing up and didn't really sit down with him at the piano, when we heard they were touring together as Wakeman & Son, we knew we had to see the show. The nearly 2 hour show gave both Rick and Oliver opportunities to play their solo material but they also accompanied each other which made for a special evening. Early on they played a suite of Yes music and jumped back and forth between compositions each of them wrote and played on. Rick also treated us to a suite of The Six Wives of Henry VIII, some outtakes from Journey To The Center Of The Earth and King Arthur. In between songs, both of them regaled us with stories and Rick offered up his legendary wit, especially when it was about needing bathroom breaks at his age. The icing on the cake was Oliver making time to see The Wolf and The Wolfcub after the show. He was as generous with his time as he was with his talent and we saw both the Wakemans enjoying their time together as father and son which was wonderful to see. It's a brief tour but if you have the chance, definitely see Wakeman & Son before they head back to the UK. Keep up with Rick Wakeman: https://www.rwcc.com/index.php Order Oliver's album Mother's Ruin and learn about his 2026 tour dates at www.oliverwakeman.co.uk Check out our new website: Ugly American Werewolf in London Website Twitter Threads Instagram YouTube LInkTree www.pantheonpodcasts.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

S1 Ep 277UAWIL #277: Rush - 2112
By early 1976, things were looking bleak for Rush. Despite their relentless touring schedule and 3 albums - Rush, Fly By Night, Caress of Steel - the record company wasn't happy. The band called the Caress of Steel Tour the Down The Tubes Tour as their crowds got smaller and their record didn't sell. Mercury records wanted radio friendly hits or something more like the Zeppelin-y first record or they would drop the band. Instead of changing their sound and bowing to the powers that be, they decided to do their own thing. That thing was a full side of an album with 7 distinct parts of a suite called 2112. Instead of sappy love songs, they created a planet that had come under the rule of The Solar Federation whose priests rule thanks to a supercomputer that has all the answers and has taken away individuality and creativity. It doesn't sound like a chart topper does it? However, the hard rock, prog rock and AOR fanbase absolutely loved it, eventually sending it to triple platinum. From the epic Overture and fan favorite The Temples of Syrinx to the coda Grand Finale, the boys take you on a tale of the individual vs. the system (borrowed from Ayn Rand). Alex Lifeson's guitar work shows why he's so beloved and why fans in the 80s wondered what happened to him? Neil Peart's drumming is extraordinary but so are his lyrics which create a world through intelligence, faith and forthrightness. But that's not the whole album. A Passage to Bangkok talks about all the places you can visit to score some good pot. The Twilight Zone is an ode to their favorite sci-fi show while Something for Nothing teaches that you can't wait around for someone to give you a break - you have to make your own. Alex and Geddy Lee each take a stab at writing the music and lyrics on their own on Lessons and Tears, respectively, but the real magic comes when all 3 meld their own powers into something that is much greater than the sum of the parts. It's the album that not only put Rush on the map but saved their careers and set them up for success for decades. Yes - we will be checking them out this summer and we will be talking about it - watch this space for updates!! Check out our new website: Ugly American Werewolf in London Website Visit our sponsor RareVinyl.com and use code UGLY to save 10% off one ENTIRE ORDER! bit.ly/UAWILRocks Twitter Threads Instagram YouTube LInkTree www.pantheonpodcasts.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trailer: The Ugly American Werewolf in London Rock Podcast
trailerThe Ugly American Werewolf in London is a weekly podcast about classic rock, hard rock, progressive rock, heavy metal, early MTV, 80s music, UK vs. US chart success and all things rock! Hosted by The Wolf and Action Jackson, who interview rock legends, review classic albums and concerts of their favorite classic rock bands each week. Once a month, they welcome musicians, writers and fans to First Concert Memories to tell about one particular night where a live concert changed their life. Action & The Wolf have an unquenchable thirst for knowledge of rock music and its history. Catch interviews from members of amazing bands like The Police, Yes, Pink Floyd, The Yardbirds, Dire Straits, Simple Minds, Spandeau Ballet, AC/DC, Genesis & more. Tune in to hear what they're passionate about! Proud members of Pantheon Podcasts! Check out our new website: Ugly American Werewolf in London Website Visit our sponsor RareVinyl.com and use code UGLY to save 10% off one ENTIRE ORDER! bit.ly/UAWILRocks Twitter Threads Instagram YouTube LInkTree www.pantheonpodcasts.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

S1 Ep 276UAWIL #276: Van Halen - 5150
In 1986 we lived in a divided country. People who were once good friends now found themselves on opposite sides of one of the most charged debates in the history of mankind. You had to choose - Van Halen or Van Hagar?!?! After their diamond seller 1984 ruled the world that summer, charismatic frontman David Lee Roth was looking at other opportunities. In 1985 he released his covers EP, Crazy from the Heat, fans hoped that it was just a side project. But once the boys announced that Sammy Hagar, former solo artist and frontman of Montrose, had joined the band for their March, 1986 album 5150. Recorded in Eddie's 5150 Studio, their first without producer Ted Templeman, the album ushered in a new era for the band. Sammy brought a broader perspective to their lyrics and Eddie wrote on both his guitar and keyboards. To some, they feared their guitar god was going soft and playing with his synths too much. And big hits like Love Walks' In, Why Can't This Be Love and Dreams all features keyboards but Eddie still delivers plenty of Eddie Van Halen magic. Inextricably tied by most Van Halen fans to the Live Without A Net home video, the boys reminisced about why they didn't get into it immediately but eventually came to appreciate the album thanks to the VHS. Is this the best of all the Sammy records? Is it in the Top 5 Van Halen albums? Higher? Tell us what you think! Check out our new website: Ugly American Werewolf in London Website Visit our sponsor RareVinyl.com and use code UGLY to save 10% off one ENTIRE ORDER! bit.ly/UAWILRocks Twitter Threads Instagram YouTube LInkTree www.pantheonpodcasts.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Stewart Copeland talks the riotous fun he had making videos with The Police
bonusEHere’s a clip of our interview with legendary drummer/composer Stewart Copeland of The Police. Hear the whole interview with Stewart about playing the Paralympics, his Police Deranged for Orchestra tour and speaking series here: Stewart Copeland Interview Keep up with Stewart at stewartcopeland.net Check out our new website: Ugly American Werewolf in London Website Twitter Threads Instagram YouTube LInkTree www.pantheonpodcasts.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

S1 Ep 275UAWIL #275: Stewart Copeland of The Police
EStewart Copeland is so much more than the drummer from The Police. Over the decades he's been in numerous bands, scored films and tv series, written operas, performed with orchestras and engaged folks on his speaking tours. He's lived around the world and toured it as well, while being part of some of the most memorable songs and videos in the early MTV era. As The Wolf and Action Jackson are (grown?) children of the MTV generation, we fulfilled our lifelong dream of speaking with the gregarious American member of our first favorite rock band. Stewart's articulate and energetic personality shines as he talks about his opportunity to play the opening ceremonies of the Paralympic Games in Italy. He regales with stories of when Andy entered the picture and made his life easier while Summers presence meant Sting finally had someone to give his songs the proper harmonies he'd been looking for. Though we loved those Godley & Creme videos from Synchronicity, he said all three of them were completely miserable during the whole experience. But he also talks about finding his love for making music again by working with Francis Ford Coppola while creating movie scores. The long prep with orchestras to perform Police - Deranged for Orchestra shows that he still has a great work ethic (and we look forward to reviewing that performance soon) and he loves the laughs he gets from his Have I Said Too Much speaking tours. His unbridled passion and enthusiasm are evident throughout the interview which two lifelong fans hope you enjoy as much as we did. Keep up with Stewart at stewartcopeland.net Check out our new website: Ugly American Werewolf in London Website Twitter Threads Instagram YouTube LInkTree www.pantheonpodcasts.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

First Concert Memories #32: Iron Maiden with Brian Slagel, CEO Metal Blade Records
When we first interviewed Metal Blade Records CEO/Founder Brian Slagel, one of the true godfathers of heavy metal, he told us about his first ever concert - KISS on the Alive! Tour in 1976. Talk about a high bar to live up to for rock n roll live production!?! Who would he find that can deliver such a live performance? The answer is Iron Maiden, the heavy metal pioneers that Brian has witnessed live over 300x, who incorporate all kinds of props, blistering playing, lights, pyro and even an enormous mascot, Eddie. Brian takes us back to 1981 as Maiden were opening for Judas Priest. Brian tells us how he sold the album Killers in his record store to help promote the band he loved and sought out every album and single from the New Wave of British Heavy Metal he could get his hands on. So he jumped on a plane to Houston to see his favorite band. Hear how Brian was thwarted by Texas cops as he attempted to headbang, how his buddy gave him a ride to interview Steve Harris at the hotel after the show and the power of Maiden during the early years. Brian also talks about how Paul Di'Anno dropped a bomb on him ahead of a show in Long Beach as he interviewed him for his fanzine, The New Heavy Metal Revue. It was our pleasure to spend time with one of the true pioneers of metal, especially in the US, and hear how his first Maiden show ranks against the 300+ concerts he's seen with the boys over 45 years. Learn more about Brian and his podcast 100 Songs That Define Heavy Metal at www.metalblade.com/us Check out our new website: Ugly American Werewolf in London Website Twitter Threads Instagram YouTube LInkTree www.pantheonpodcasts.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

S1 Ep 274UAWIL #274: Jay Schellen of Yes
Jay Schellen has been with Yes for almost a decade though he didn't become the full-time drummer until the passing of Alan White after 50 years in the band in 2022. As Yes are taking their Fragile Tour to the UK this April (and we covered the tour on episode 263, beware of setlist spoilers), we sat down with Jay to learn more about his long career, journey to Yes and the band's future. Jay grew up in New Mexico and developed an early love of music and drumming. At a young age he moved to LA and immediately connected with Yes alum Tony Kaye who became a mentor, brother and friend to Jay. From there he worked with many bands and artists like Peter Banks (Yes), Billy Sherwood (Circa, Yes) and Geoff Downes (Buggles, Asia, Yes). Once he made his way into the orbit of Yes, it was a no brainer for him to fill in when Alan White was unavailable, to share the stage with Alan and eventually be hand-picked as his successor. We talk about Jay's amazing career, the fun of playing Fragile in its entirety, their upcoming tour of the UK & Europe this spring, new music coming from Yes this year and a return to Japan and the US. Visit yesworld.com for tickets and updates on Jay and Yes. Check out our new website: Ugly American Werewolf in London Website Twitter Threads Instagram YouTube LInkTree www.pantheonpodcasts.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

S1 Ep 273UAWIL #273: Metallica - Master of Puppets
EBy 1986, Metallica's assault on the music establishment and eardrums was in full force. Their previous album, Ride The Lightning, had caught the attention of Elektra Records who signed them to an 8 record deal. Though they refused to make videos, weren't on MTV and didn't really release singles, the band gained fans anywhere they played live and through an underground tape trading community. They were establishing thrash metal alongside Slayer, Megadeth and Anthrax through constant touring and a relentless lifestyle. The boys really upped their game on Master of Puppets through stronger vocals from James Hetfield, more punishing riffs and melodic (and sometimes spacey) bass from Cliff Burton. The opener Battery sets the tone for this very influential album before giving way to the 8+ minute title track. True to form, Metallica offered up an instrumental in Orion which was heavily influenced by the classical training of Cliff Burton. Songs about war (Disposable Heroes), fake evangelism (Leper Messiah), insanity Welcome Home (Sanitarium) make for one amazing heavy metal album, the likes of which the world hadn't seen. We talk about the songs, what they mean in the Metallica catalog, their tour for the record with Ozzy and of course the tragedy in Sweden that took the life of Cliff Burton. From underground band to being featured on Stranger Things, the journey of Master of Puppets is one for the ages. Check out our new website: Ugly American Werewolf in London Website Twitter Threads Instagram YouTube LInkTree www.pantheonpodcasts.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

S1 Ep 272UAWIL #272: Ozzy Osbourne - The Ultimate Sin
By 1986, Ozzy Osbourne already had the reputation as the Mad Man of Metal. Since his departure from Black Sabbath, he'd created a whole new act that was very successful thanks to his wife and manager Sharon (Arden) Osbourne and the talented musicians she got to play & record with him. After a string of multi-platinum solo records in the US, you'd figure that Ozzy was on top of the world and ready to continue to dazzle audiences around the world. However, things weren't so rosey in Ozzy's den. Sharon made him go to rehab and Betty Ford which may helped him slow down but didn't stop his use of drugs and alcohol. A reunion with Black Sabbath at Live Aid put his next solo writing sessions on hold and he end up losing his rhythm section, including long-time bassist Bob Daisley. Guitarist Jake E Lee who blew fans away with his performance on Bark at the Moon was upset about not receiving writing credits (or royalties) from that record and refused to proceed until his contract was worked out to his liking. Despite all that, The Ultimate Sin is still a classic Ozzy album. From the title track to the finale in Shot in the Dark, there are amazing metal moments with brilliant guitar pyrotechics from Jake. The title track, Thank God for the Bomb and Killer of Giants all refer to the ongoing Cold War that kept people living in fear. LIghtning Strikes and Shot in the Dark received steady rotation on MTV and eventually The Ultimate Sin went double platinum. Unfortunately, Ozzy wasn't happy with the mix by producer Ron Nevison so this album is now out of print and Shot in the Dark is not included on any of Ozzy's greatest hits albums. While controversy and infighting may have followed Ozzy around, his status as a bonafide Metal God is never in question on this album and we think Jake E Lee deserves more credit as a guitarist and songwriter than he receives. Nevertheless, The Ultimate Sin may not be his best solo record but we count it among his classics of the 1980s. Check out our new website: Ugly American Werewolf in London Website Twitter Threads Instagram YouTube LInkTree www.pantheonpodcasts.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jay Buchanan talks Black Sabbath’s support of Rival Sons
bonusJay Buchanan’s first solo album since joining Rival Sons, Weapons of Beauty, is now available! We spoke to Jay about writing the record in the desert, how he conjured up these incredibly personal stories and being a part of Ozzy’s last performance in Birmingham in July, 2025. Hear our entire conversation here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1Lsy6jb7a8IndqQbD3J0Im?si=LPUHAasCR9aOxtLQ76doLA Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

S1 Ep 271UAWIL #271: Genesis - A Trick of the Tail
During The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway Tour, Peter Gabriel informed his Genesis bandmates that he would be leaving once his touring duties were fulfilled. While this was disappointing to the band, some members of the press heralded it as the end of Genesis. However, Tony Banks, Mike Rutherford and Steve Hackett could all contribute to the songwriting as could their wily drummer, Phil Collins. So the band forged ahead and began and exhaustive search for lead singers. To make a long story short, they figured out that Phil had the kind of voice they were looking for and decided it best if he came out from behind the drum kit to be the lead singer. While sometimes replacing the lead singer can cause a revolt of hardcare fans, it actually opened up the band for greater success in the US as they found his funny, entertaining style more fun than the serious, artsy Gabriel. Their first post-Gabriel effort was A Trick of the Tail, a gathering of 8 eclectic songs that hold them to their progressive roots but also branch out into more radio friendly material. The opener Dance on a Volcano let's Hackett and Banks bounce off each other in bombastic proggy fashion while the follow up Entangled is a more lilting back and forth. And it adds a bit of humor as does Robbery, Assault and Battery which lets Collins adjust his accent for different characters. Ripples is a lovely song that would portend more like it in the coming years and Los Endos is a great way to end the album (and a concert). Of course we talk about all the politics, go track x track and discuss how this album started them on a more pop path, one that would end up with them on top of the rock /pop world 10 years later. Check out our new website: Ugly American Werewolf in London Website Twitter Threads Instagram YouTube LInkTree www.pantheonpodcasts.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

First Concert Memories #31: Oliver Wakeman on Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman & Howe
The Wolf & Action Jackson were so pleased that Oliver Wakeman agreed to come on First Concert Memories to talk about the first time he saw his father Rick, Rock N Roll Hall of Famer and longtime keyboardist in Yes, on a large arena stage. Though he'd seen Rick play with his solo band many times at theaters as he grew up, he never saw Rick in Yes until the Union Tour in 1991. So when Jon Anderson became disillusioned with the pop leanings of Yes in the late 1980s, he gathered former Yes bandmates Steve Howe, Bill Bruford and his pal Rick Wakeman to form their own version of Yes. Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman & Howe not only would release a self-titled album with lead single Brother of Mine in 1988, but would embark on an arena tour billed as An Evening of Yes Music Plus. Oliver and his brother were invited to America to join their father for a week and see 5-6 ABWH shows at the end of the summer of 1988. Oliver shares stories of seeing his dad on the big stage with the other legends of Yes and learning firsthand just how big a star Rick was (and is today). From there we deviate to how a mixing session for the ABWH single I'm Alive actually lead to his eventual tenure in Yes from 2008-2011. Oliver shares how he got up to speed on all the tunes, eventually recording an album with Yes and fun memories from the road. He has a 20th anniversary re-release of his 7th solo album Mother's Ruin coming out March 13, 2026 (click his website below to order) and is embarking on his first tour with Rick in the US in March also. And he'll be touring with his band in the UK in April and November to visit From A Page, his album with Yes. We find Oliver's articulate musings and respect for the fans refreshing and we encourage you to see him live in the US, UK or Europe this year if possible! Order Oliver's album Mother's Ruin and learn about his 2026 tour dates at www.oliverwakeman.co.uk Check out our new website: Ugly American Werewolf in London Website Twitter Threads Instagram YouTube LInkTree www.pantheonpodcasts.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

S1 Ep 270UAWIL #270: The Firm - Mean Business
After their debut album, The Firm, hit gold in the US in 1985, fans figured that Jimmy Page and Paul Rodgers would tour to support it and not only play songs off the album but also include hits from their back catalogs. While expecting reworked Led Zeppelin and Bad Company songs, they instead got songs from Paul Rodgers 1983 solo album Cut Loose and Jimmy's Death Wish II soundtrack. Then, Jimmy's performance with his old LZ bandmates at Live Aid was considered an outright disaster. Everyone figured the 2nd Firm album would be Jimmy finally putting on his old Guitar God robes and delivering what they'd been waiting for. Unfortunately, Mean Business never really lived up to the fans expectations and though there were a few flashes, the guitar heroics were missing. Despite the extraordinary work of bassist Tony Franklin, whose writing contribution Dreaming is a standout on the album, it was as if Jimmy was just going through the motions. Though Paul's voice is as strong and rich as ever, most of the lyrics weren't very deep or super relatable. The steady hand of UAWIL guest Chris Slade on the drums gave everyone the space to do what they wanted but for Jimmy, it wasn't inspiring. You saw glimpses in the solo on Live in Peace and on a couple of others but if you were waiting for Jimmy to cut loose, well it never really happened. There are highlights like All The Kings Horses which hit #1 on the US rock charts for 4 weeks in early 1986 and the closer Spirit of Love lets everyone do their thing. Fortune Hunter is rifftastic in getting the album going but there's a slow down around 3:30 that kills the momentum. Cadillac is so long and murky that it's almost unlistenable - why did they choose that as the second song? Eventually, all involved went on to do other things as members of supergroups always do. It was an incredible lineup but they just couldn't capture the magic that fans were hoping for when they learned about The Firm. Check out our new website: Ugly American Werewolf in London Website Twitter Threads Instagram YouTube LInkTree www.pantheonpodcasts.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

S1 Ep 269UAWIL #269: The Church - Heyday
The Church are a bit of an enigma in the rock world. Though best known for their breakout 1988 song Under The Milky Way off of Starfish. Prior to that they'd had an unexpected Australian anthem in An Unguarded Moment. But they didn't want to be a pop band - they saw themselves as members of the new psychedelic movement. So the cover of Heyday (released in Australia late 1985 but in the US January 28, 1986) you can see the lads sporting some paisley shirts against a Persian Rug. But at that point, they'd already abandoned their psychedelic leanings for their own AOR stylings. The album Heyday, produced by Peter Walsh (Simple Minds) provides some entrancing guitar work with lyrics from Steve Kilbey that go from seeing behind the curtain of fame (Disenchanted) to unending sadness (Tristesse) to vain plastic surgery junkies (Youth Worshipper). Peter Koppes and Marty Wilson-Piper offer intricate and jangling guitars which make for 120 Minutes gold on MTV and can even put you into a bit of a trance. Myrrh and Tantalized proved to be all time favorites of Church fans and are still part of the band's setlist to this day. However, though songs like Columbus and Already Yesterday may have been enjoyed by fans of the band, they failed to crack the charts the way the record company had hoped. Still, the band were able to tour the US with Echo & The Bunnymen which helped them break down some doors and win some fans. Though they were dropped by their record companies after Heyday, this led to them being picked up by Arista, which led to Starfish and success in the US and around the world. It may not be multi-platinum but Heyday would help define the sound of The Church, allowed them to write songs together and create a foundation that built towards greater success. Check out our new website: Ugly American Werewolf in London Website Twitter Threads Instagram YouTube LInkTree www.pantheonpodcasts.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

S1 Ep 268UAWIL #268: Jay Buchanan of Rival Sons on his new solo album Weapons of Beauty
EJay Buchanan once led his own band before he became the lead singer of the grammy nominated, globe-trotting Rival Sons. So it was always assumed by everyone in the band that Jay would also release solo material while fronting the hard rockin' band. But becoming one of the biggest touring rock acts on the planet and recording 9 records doesn't leave much time for anything else. So Jay sequestered himself in the the Mojave Desert to conjure up the spirits that would allow him to delve deep into his own soul to find what he could mine out of it. The result, Weapons of Beauty, is his first solo effort since joining Rival Sons and it provides a showcase for the power and sincerity of Jay's voice which can be out volumed in his band's usual form. Though some are melancholy and sparse, the songs look for truisms in life cutting to heart of what really matters. Lead single Caroline not only laments love lost but achingly tries to find what love really is. True Black not only is an upbeat change of pace but makes for great t-shirts - Paint My Casket True Black (available on weaponsofbeauty.com). Jay talks about how a chance visit to see his parents caused him to set fire to early life keepsakes but made it possible to write Deep Swimming. His thoughtful and articulate descriptions of his own songs and the signposts that got him to this point uncover an easy going poet vs. the hard rocker he might be perceived as. The album is more country, folk, americana, even gospel compared to Rival Sons and is evidence of Jay's broad tastes and talents. He shares stories of playing with Black Sabbath, getting ready to make a new Rival Sons record and getting out with the band and solo in 2026. Weapons of Beauty is out February 6th on vinyl, colored vinyl, CD, download and streaming. Check out our new website: Ugly American Werewolf in London Website Twitter Threads Instagram YouTube LInkTree www.pantheonpodcasts.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

S1 Ep 267UAWIL #267: Styx - Paradise Theater
Styx had achieved great highs in the 1970s. Albums like The Grand Illusion, Pieces of Eight and Cornerstone had all gone multi-platinum in the US thanks to hard riffs from James JY Young and Tommy Shaw and the heartfelt lyrics and vocals of Dennis DeYoung. But by 1980, tensions in the band lead to the dismissal of DeYoung for his insistence on his songs and concepts be at the forefront of the bands creative output. Chuck (bass) and John (drums) Panozzo had known Dennis since childhood and had played together for 20 years but they tried to carry on without him. However, in the end they decided to invite him back and give way to his concept of viewing the US like an old theater. You had an auspicious start with lots of promise, you had a brilliant heyday, you've seen some tough times and now it's time to find out who you are. While Shaw's Too Much Time on My Hands relates to the plight of the struggling working man, the hopeful The Best of Times offers respite from the weariness with a lover. Big riffs on Rockin' the Paradise keep the hard rockers listening and Half-Penny, Two-Penny lets James Young showcase his meatier solos. However, the second side of the album is a bit disjointed with the offputting Lonely People opening up and then a sappy She Cares. AD 1958 is a reprise to AD 1928 and the windout song State Street Sadie borrowing a bit of ragtime makes for big leaps between genres which require more than one listen. And controversy ensued when the Arkansas State Senate found satanic backward masking and issued labels on albums that did the same (including The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd and more). That would spark DeYoung's next concept album Kilroy Was Here which ended up breaking the band. We like Styx and this is the first album of theirs we've reviewed and it's possible we'd do another down the road. While the band will never be our favorite, we recognize the talent - we may just not always be on board with the concept. Check out our new website: Ugly American Werewolf in London Website Twitter Threads Instagram YouTube LInkTree www.pantheonpodcasts.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

First Concert Memories #30: Amy Winehouse by Amy Linden
ETo kick off 2026 with a bang, we welcomed back music writer Amy Linden of Immaletyoufinish Podcast to share with all you lovely people her tale of seeing and interviewing Amy Winehouse right as she broke in the US. While Frank had been a sensation overseas, it was her new album Back To Black which would take her to dizzying heights of stardom and create an image of a hard-partying girl from North London. Amy Linden not only saw Amy Winehouse's first US performance at Joe's Pub in NYC but also interviewed her later that year and saw her subsequent NYC shows. Amy has been in the business for decades and came on First Concert Memories last year to talk about seeing The Sex Pistols in their final show in San Francisco when she was new to the industry. As an industry insider, she relates the story of pitching the Village Voice to let her cover Amy's US debut. Linden sticks up for Winehouse as a troubled woman who just needed a hug despite her tough exterior. Hear about Winehouse singing with The Dap-Kings and her back up singers/dancers created an amazing show. But you'll also hear how she saw signs in her interview that Amy was troubled and the shows she gave later in 2007 didn't live up to the promise of the early 2007 show at Joe's Pub. Amy Winehouse had the talent to be an enduring superstar but her lifestyle and health problems ensured that she would be known as a shooting star. Great insights from Amy Linden - hear her on Immaletyoufinish Podcast Check out our new website: Ugly American Werewolf in London Website Twitter Threads Instagram YouTube LInkTree www.pantheonpodcasts.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

S1 Ep 266UAWIL #266: 2025 Part 2 - In Memoriam, Live Concerts & Artists
ETo start our second look back on 2025, we want to thank everyone who listens to our show and interacts with us to share your love of rock music. We've entered our 6th year and want to show appreciation for all of you who choose to share your rock n roll journey with us. It inspires us to keep our curiosity alive and learn more about the music we love. So thank you all. To wrap up the year we had to pay respects to the many rockers and legends we lost, including guest of the show Terry Reid. Superlungs is British Rock Royalty and we're sorry he's gone but glad we had the chance to thank him for the music. From Ace Frehley to Ozzy Osbourne and Brian Wilson to Sly Stone we lost too many this year and we took a moment to honor them. Looking back on seeing Metallica from the owner's box in Nashville to Iron Maiden in Stockholm and legends like Yes, The Black Crowes and Jason Bonham's Led Zeppelin Evening stoked the fires of some fond memories. And our 3 episode series on Live Aid at 40 really stirred some nostalgia and gave us the chance to welcome original MTV VJ Alan Hunter to the show. And we had to thank our artists and legendary guests like Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel, artist Hugh Syme, Stu Allen and Scarlet Rivera. 2025 was a great year and 2026 is looking great at The Wolf!! Check out our new website: Ugly American Werewolf in London Website Twitter Threads Instagram YouTube LInkTree www.pantheonpodcasts.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

S1 Ep 265UAWIL #265: 2025 Part 1 - The Albums, Authors & Podcasters
What a year 2025 has been! We want to take the opportunity to thank all of our loyal listeners and all the new ones who've found us this year. In a year of milestones we celebrated our 250th episode in September and then wrapped up our 5th year of the show in November. Our love of rock music is stronger than ever and we're so happy we get to share it with like-minded rock fans from around the globe. So thank you for all the support! It has become tradition that we break down our year in review into 2 different shows: one on the albums, authors & podcasters we welcomed on the show and a second on the live concerts we reviewed and artists and legends we hosted. This first edition focuses on the 35 albums we celebrated, which ones we loved, we ones surprised us and which ones made us want to do another by that artist in 2026. Then we walk through all the authors and podcasters who came on our show, usually on our monthly sidecast First Concert Memories. It's a great showcase for fans of rock music to share the stories that helped shape their rock n roll journey and relive some fond (and sometimes not so fond) memories. Next week is Part 2 on the live shows, artists and legends with a special in memoriam to pay tribute to the legends we lost in 2025. Until then, enjoy 2025 Part 1 - The Albums, Authors & Podcasters!! Check out our new website: Ugly American Werewolf in London Website Twitter Threads Instagram YouTube LInkTree www.pantheonpodcasts.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

S1 Ep 264UAWIL #264: Top 10 80s Movie Soundtracks
The 1980s were an incredible time for pop and rock music. Thanks to technology and MTV, many genres enjoyed great success throughout the decade. But movies enjoyed quite a heyday as well with blockbusters that created huge stars and studios started to realize that catering to teens and young adults could help you gain viewers. But when music and movies were put together the right way, the outcome could have enormous impact on Generation X and create memories stronger than any made via music or movies alone. So we're proud to offer our personal Top 10 1980s Movie Soundtracks based on our own preferences. Though the criteria might be a little vague, we generally picked out soundtracks that had an impact on us as rock fans and were from movies that were important in the culture. But we also chose soundtracks that were essential to the movie in telling the story and popped up in important scenes. Not all of the music will necessarily be rock but as that's what we love, it dominates our choices. And we made a long list of honorable mentions as some might have been big hits but we didn't like them for whatever reason. Or maybe we loved them as children but they didn't age well or we grew out of them. Nostalgia's a hell of a drug and that's what we felt compiling these lists and sharing them with YOU, the listener. Check out our new website: Ugly American Werewolf in London Website Twitter Threads Instagram YouTube LInkTree www.pantheonpodcasts.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

S1 Ep 263UAWIL #263: Yes Live in 2025
Yes has been around for more than 55 years. They've made some of the world's best progressive rock music and even had some success on the pop charts. While The Wolf was living in London, he got to see Yes at Royal Albert Hall on the Close to the Edge 50 Tour which was a special night. It was there that he truly came to appreciate the talents of Jon Davison, the lead singer who is very close in age to your hosts. A friend of the late Taylor Hawkins, he does justice to classic Yes songs from throughout the catalog. After that show, The Wolf wanted to make sure he never missed his heroes again as long as Davison was fronting the band. On October 27, the boys came to his town and not only did he attend but he brought The Wolfcub, an aspiring guitar player, to see Steve Howe do his thing live. And they both loved the show (and The Wolfcub was handed an official Steve Howe guitar string!). They performed classics throughout the catalog and then after an intermission played Fragile in it's entirety straight-through, including big hits like Roundabout and Long Distance Runaround. But fan favorites like South Side of the Sky and Heart of the Sunrise really got the diehards on their feet! Steve Howe had his time in the sun on Mood for a Day and Geoff Downes had his spotlight doing the Rick Wakeman penned Cans and Brahms. Billy Sherwood showed why Chris Squire chose him to carry on his legacy, especially on The Fish and Jay Schellen kept them all in time. For those who wouldn't go because not enough original or heyday members are still in the band, we understand your argument. But this version of Yes fronted by Jon Davison delivers solid shows doing classics you love and the big screen behind them featuring Roger Dean artwork coming to life makes for a killer night out with Yes. Check out our new website: Ugly American Werewolf in London Website Twitter Threads Instagram YouTube LInkTree www.pantheonpodcasts.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

First Concert Memories #29: Bay City Rollers with Holly Cantos of What Difference Does it Make?
The Wolf and Action Jackson were too young and too straight to get into 70s heartthrobs The Bay City Rollers. The Scottish boys were plastered all over every teen magazine throughout the 70s to the delight of screaming pre-teen girls all over the world. One of those fans was Holly Cantos, the co-host of What Difference Does It Make? Podcast where they talk about the amazing music of the 1980s and host guests from the industry. But twice in 1977 (or at least we think that was the right year), a young Holly got to go see her heroes live and in the flesh thanks to her friend Laura's mom working for a promoter. Holly takes us back to a pre-internet, pre-social media world where the fanzines were the only place to see their crushes other than the album covers. She regales us with stories of dressing in tartan and covering her walls with pics of her faves while living in the San Fernando Valley. But there's always a twist on First Concert Memories, the monthly sidecast from your friends at The Ugly American Werewolf in London Rock Podcast, and Holly delivers. Because not everyone can handle all the screaming and pushing in the front row so her experience was cut short and she does name names on the show! What an experience for a 12 year old to see her heroes in the front row in 1977!! Check out our new website: Ugly American Werewolf in London Website Twitter Threads Instagram YouTube LInkTree www.pantheonpodcasts.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

S1 Ep 262UAWIL #262: The Beatles - Rubber Soul
The Wolf & Action Jackson will admit they aren't the world's biggest Beatles fans. Though we appreciate their influence to help create the music we love through generations, we generally don't gravitate towards their albums. However, in researching Rubber Soul as it turns 60 on December 3, we gained new appreciation and respect for the Lads from Liverpool. They had grown up quite a bit in the last few years and found themselves writing more mature lyrics while experimenting with different sounds. The Beatles had met and befriended Bob Dylan and in their second trip to the US had met Elvis and formed mutual admiration societies with The Byrds, Motown and Stax. They experimented with LSD and the boys used to call Rubber Soul the pot album as they partook during the recording. So as they wove all those influencers into their own music, they also started to write more personal songs. Paul exchanged sweet nothings for standoffish goodbyes in songs like You Won't See Me and I'm Looking Through You. A contemplative John Lennon reminisces about growing up (In My Life) and the eternal search for that special someone (Girl). Young George Harrison was ready to step up to the plate with his own mature offerings like Think For Yourself and If I Needed Someone. The album was well received by peers and critics and is considered the point where the album became more than just a larger collection of songs but one statement from a moment in time. Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown) was an international hit about an affair John had. Michelle seems like a sweet ode to a French girl when it was the boys making fun of Paul for trying to speak French at parties to meet girls. Even the big hit Drive My Car is very tongue in cheek about the silliness and pitfalls of fame. Though the oldest of them were 25, The Beatles proved they were more than just cute mop tops with guitars. They were artists pushing the envelope in the studio of what rock music could be. Rubber Soul was that next step in the evolution of the band and rock. Check out our new website: Ugly American Werewolf in London Website Twitter Threads Instagram YouTube LInkTree www.pantheonpodcasts.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

S1 Ep 261UAWIL #261: Queen - A Night at the Opera
Queen found themselves in trouble in late 1975. They had a terrible management contract they were desperate to get out of, they'd had to cancel a tour which was only booked to recoup money and they had spent over 40,000 pounds (equal to over $600,000 today) at seven different studios trying to make their 4th album, A Night At The Opera. If it wasn't a success the band might have folded up. But thanks to an unorthodox lead single that was not only bizarre but over six minutes long, the band found themselves on top of the world. The vocal harmonies that define the enduring sound of Queen are all over the album, even as the boys experimented with different instruments, recording techniques and their voices as well. You can't define the record with one genre as the epic The Prophet's Song is long and proggy while it melts into the sweet Love of My Life. Freddie attacks their ex manager in straight ahead Death on Two Legs and then quickly segues into the old-timey Lazing on a Sunday Afternoon. While John Deacon pens an ode to his wife with You're My Best Friend, Roger Taylor is proclaiming I'm in Love with My Car. In '39, Brian May takes us forward in time with astronauts in a bar sing-a-long style. But Bohemian Rhapsody with it's soulful piano to start followed by bombastic harmonies, so heavy Brian May guitar and head banging play out was the game changer. Bo Rap would eventually go number 1 and into the top ten around the world 3 times - when first released, around the time of Wayne's World (when your heroes were college roommates, and again after the movie of the same name was a worldwide success. It lifted Queen out of their financial woes and onto the world stage to a level at which they never really left. As this classic turns 50 November 22, we were happy to gain an appreciation for the band as a whole by examining an album only they could make. Check out our new website: Ugly American Werewolf in London Website Twitter Threads Instagram YouTube LInkTree www.pantheonpodcasts.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

S1 Ep 260UAWIL #260: Jason Bonham's Led Zeppelin Evening Live Review
EWhen The Wolf saw that Jason Bonham was bringing his Led Zeppelin Evening to town he was interested but a little skeptical. Though John Bonham's oldest child is now a grandfather himself with four decades of experience, I didn't know what kind of show it would be. Turns out not only has Jason assembled an incredible band that can truly do justice to Led Zeppelin classics but Jason gives us a glimpse into his brief time with his dad. As MC between songs, Bonham helps keep the crowd loose with his laid back persona and sly humor which keeps the fans engaged. Sharing stories about John and also fanboying with Jimmy Page and Robert Plant (they had to limit him to 2 Zeppelin questions a day during the Celebration Day rehearsals) give the audience what they want - direct connection to the men who made this incredible music. And the band are fantastic. James Dylan (Vocals, acoustic) can hit some of those classic Plant notes while Alex Howland provides part of the John Paul Jones roll on keys and acoustic. The other half is Dorian Heartsong on bass/mandolin - all of them are brilliant players. But Jimmy Sakurai has taken on the essence of Jimmy Page with his hair, clothing, movements and equipment. He not only looks the part but he's got the tracks down and it makes for a fun night of Led Zeppelin - a night where they celebrate Physical Graffiti at 50 by playing the whole thing! After Custard Pie and The Rover, they played the songs out of order with Jason dipping in and out to share his own stories of learning to love Led Zeppelin and other music of his generation (Stewart Copeland is way better than you Dad!). During the acoustic set they all sit on the drum riser and Jason tells us why they used to give Bonzo a tambourine for the acoustic Zep sets. From there they build to a crescendo using all the power the 1975 double album had to offer, ending with one John Bonham co-wrote by telling Jimmy dunna-dunna dun, click, dunna-dunna dun, click, dunna-dunna dun, click, dunna-dunna dun. Don't be skeptical - know that this a fun night for Zeppelin fans with great stories to go along with epic music you can't get live anywhere else these days. If you can see them, GO!! Check out our new website: Ugly American Werewolf in London Website Twitter Threads Instagram YouTube LInkTree www.pantheonpodcasts.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

S1 Ep 259UAWIL #259: Motorhead - Ace of Spades
EEvery metalhead knows Motorhead for their all out attack playing style with raunchy lyrics that bounces you from one three minute bludgeoning to the next. When Lemmy Kilmister (gravely vocals and lead bass), "Fast" Eddie Clark (lead guitar), and Phil "Philthy Animal" Taylor recorded Ace of Spades in 1980, the band were hot. 1979 saw the release of Overkill and Bomber, two beloved classics in their catalog, the latter of which going to #12 in the UK. They were making a racket all around Europe and found themselves with the soft-spoken Vic Maile in Jackson's Studios (not our co-host Action Jackson's studio) to make what would become their biggest selling and defining album. From Ace of Spades to The Hammer there are no brakes, no pauses, no ballads, no turning it down. Whether you're gambling day and night (Ace of Spades), making time with the ladies (Love Me Like a Reptile, Fast and Loose, Jailbait) or doing violence in the street (Shoot You in the Back, The Hammer), Lemmy and the boys crush their way through the lens of rough and rowdy real-life rockers. They give a shout out to the young fans who follow them to follow their dreams (Live to Win) and show their love for the guys who live just as hard as they do (We are) the Road Crew) which creates a sense of family and belonging. Fire, Fire and Dance give the audience a chance to shout along The Chase Is Better Than the Catch sums up Lemmy's livestyle succinctly. Hearing Lemmy sing and not just scream is a testament to Vic Maile and what Fast Eddie does with this guitar as Lemmy is occupying that space with his lead bass is why we feel this is the best Motorhead lineup. They may have actually been able to play a bit more than they show but they are all about straight-ahead, white line fever, drink, smoke, rock hard, screw, and do it all again tomorrow. This album is the quintessential Motorhead record and as it turns 45 we give it its due credit. Check out our new website: Ugly American Werewolf in London Website Twitter Threads Instagram YouTube LInkTree www.pantheonpodcasts.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

First Concert Memories #28: Scarlet Rivera & Stu Allen play Bob Dylan's Rolling Thunder Revue
On a very special First Concert Memories we welcome two extraordinary guests to not only tell us all about a series of concerts from 50 years ago but for an upcoming show that will celebrate a very special tour in music history. The enchanting Scarlet Rivera, a world renowned violinist who toured with Bob Dylan's Rolling Thunder Revue in the 1970s's and played the haunting violin on Hurricane, is teaming up with Stu Allen to celebrate that historic tour. Stu is a veteran of jam band heavyweights in Northern California (Phil Lesh & Friends, Mars Hotel, Dark Star Orchestra) and is leading Scarlet and his friends in concert on November 4, 2025 at The Junction in Mill Valley (get tickets here www.thejunc.com/music-calendar). Scarlet regales us with tales from the road when Bob Dylan decided he wanted to play live again but wanted to play in smaller venues and connect with people along the way. With greats like Mick Ronson onboard, Dylan also collected poets (Allen Ginsberg), playwrights (Sam Shepard), folk legends (Joan Baez, Joni Mitchell, Roger McGuinn) and a cast of characters to create not only incredible music on stage but to feed his own creativity and curiosity. The scene was captured by Stefan van Dorp and Martin Scorsese created a film for Netflix in 2019 that gave context to this unique tour. Scarlet was along for the ride after Dylan flagged her down while she was crossing the street in Greenwich Village. Hear who she befriended on tour and the rock legend she was dating at the time without knowing what his stage shows were all about (she ended it after seeing him live). If you can make it to The Junc in Mill Valley on November 4, please do and tell em The Wolf sent ya! If you can't we know you'll still love hearing from Scarlet Rivera about her fond memories of The Rolling Thunder Revue and why she's excited to play with Stu to enjoy those tunes live once again. www.thejunc.com www.scarletriveramusic.com Check out our new website: Ugly American Werewolf in London Website Twitter Threads Instagram YouTube LInkTree www.pantheonpodcasts.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

S1 Ep 258UAWIL #258: Asia - Astra
1982 saw supergroup Asia reach the top of the charts with their self-titled debut which would go onto be the #1 selling album in the US that year. Smash hit Heat of the Moment hit #1 on the rock charts and so Geffen pushed them back into the studio for 1983's follow up Alpha which went platinum. To take advantage of this momentum, Geffen Records put together Asia in Asia in late 1983 - the first satellite concert broadcast via MTV in Japan. Clearly this success should have continued into the mid-80s. However, cracks were forming. The Alpha album was rushed and though the tour was successful, singer John Wetton was behaving badly. So with 6 weeks until the Asia in Asia broadcast, he was replaced by Greg Lake (who played with drummer Carl Palmer in Emerson Lake & Palmer). Though the tour and broadcast was a success, Greg didn't fit and eventually John was welcomed back. In early 1984, they began working on their 3rd album, Astra, but again problems arose. John demanded that legendary guitarist Steve Howe be dismissed and they eventually carried on with Swiss guitarist Mandy Meyer (not Mandy Moore). However, between the missing Steve Howe guitar pieces and the fact that music had changed since the summer of 1982, Astra was not the hit Geffen was hoping for. We examine all that went on in the Asia camp during this time and go track by track on Astra as it turns 40. Go was a bit of hit with a big budget video but the album couldn't break the top 60. Though standouts like Hard On Me and Too Late harken back to the original Asia sound, some songs are a bit soft and are lacking that key guitar ingredient that led to their success. John Wetton's voice is incredible and Geoff Downes lays down some amazing, melodic keys but there is a reason this fals short of their first two records. Check out our new website: Ugly American Werewolf in London Website Twitter Threads Instagram YouTube LInkTree www.pantheonpodcasts.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

S1 Ep 257UAWIL #257: Simple Minds - Once Upon A Time
By 1985, Simple Minds were coming off a #1 album in the UK with Sparkle in the Rain and sales from all around the world. But it only went to #64 in the US and they needed something to spark greater interest across the pond. When Don't You Forget About Me from The Breakfast Club Soundtrack hit #1 in May 1985, a song they originally resisted, they had that spark and built on that success with memorable performance at Live Aid in Philadelphia. Their next album would need to be special to keep the momentum building. New York producer Jimmy Iovine (Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Nicks, Tom Petty) came to London to work with the boys as they welcomed in new bass player John Giblin. He encourage Jim to emote more - to really sing his heart out - in the studio and his soul is captured on Once Upon A Time. Jim's lyrics are optimistic about the future - the native Glaswegians know where they come from (Oh Jungleland) and can be proud of what they've accomplished (Come a Long Way). Alive and Kicking would be the first single to follow up #1 smash Don't You Forget About Me and soared up the charts, thanks in part to a music video shot in the Pocono Mountains - former Simple Minds drummer Mel Gaynor enlightens us with a funny story from that video shoot! They can get political without getting preachy (Ghostdancing) while bringing you to your feet with glorious salvation (Sanctify Yourself). Released October 21, 1985, Once Upon A Time would be the 2nd consecutive #1 in the UK and the 1st gold record for the band in the US. But what if they put Don't You Forget About Me on it? It was already a #1 and hadn't been on a Simple Minds album. The Wolf believes it would have resulted in millions of more sales and fans for the band in the US but that's a debate you'll have to hear! Check out our new website: Ugly American Werewolf in London Website Twitter Threads Instagram YouTube LInkTree www.pantheonpodcasts.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

S1 Ep 256UAWIL #256: Rush Reunion Hot Take
Long time listeners know that Rush is one of The Wolf's top 3 favorite bands of all time. The Wolf & Action Jackson camped out to see Rush on the Roll The Bones Tour and The Wolf has seen them 12x live. After reviews of Fly By Night and Caress of Steel at 50 plus an interview with longtime collaborator Hugh Syme on the 250th and a First Concert Memories show on the mini-tour between Permanent Waves and Moving Pictures, we figured we were done with Rush episodes in 2025. Then the biggest bomb since the Oasis reunion dropped.....Geddy and Alex are going to tour!!! This announcement, of course, sparked huge excitement in the world of Rush and caused the faithful to ask many questions, none more pertinent (or is it Peartinent?) than who would be playing drums. After the death of drummer/lyricist Neil Peart in 2020, Rush fans knew the band they loved was done as The Professor was irreplaceable. But to do tribute to him and to celebrate the amazing music they all made together, someone would have to step up. Turns out that brave, talented soul is Anika Nilles - yes, a woman who is a very accomplished drummer and one The Wolf saw play with Jeff Beck in London not long before his death (see episode 90). She definitely has some chops and apparently won't be the only musician joining Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson on stage. Quick note: we recorded this hot take shortly after the announcement of the tour. Between recording and publishing, the band announced additional dates due to overwhelming demand. Also, the tickets went on sale after we recorded so you have to stick around until the end to see which city your heroes might be going to and if they were shutout the way they were for the Oasis reunion tour. But either way you can hear the excitement in our voices about one of our very favorites playing live one more time... Check out our new website: Ugly American Werewolf in London Website Twitter Threads Instagram YouTube LInkTree www.pantheonpodcasts.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

S1 Ep 255UAWIL #255: Dire Straits - Making Movies
Mark Knopfler is a celebrated guitar player and songwriter. And while his voice may not win awards for being pretty, his world-weary story songs fit his oakey-mellow vocals perfectly. Sultans of Swing of Dire Straits eponymous debut in 1978 catapulted Mark and the band to stardom with gold and platinum sales around the world. Though their 1979 follow up also sold well it didn't sell nearly as well as the first. So the band made a couple of changes. David Knopfler, Mark's brother and DS rhythm guitarist, left the band for other pursuits. And instead of recording in The Bahamas, Mark, John Illsley (bass) and Pick Withers (drums) relocated to New York with legendary producer Jimmy Iovine. Jimmy's connection to Bruce Springsteen led to E Street Band pianist Roy Bittan joining the sessions and really giving texture, rhythm and soul to Knopfler's songs. Though the timeless Romeo and Juliet wasn't a hit in the US, it has become a classic in pop culture for romantic scenes. Expresso Love gives Mark a chance to rip a fun solo while sharing the spotlight with Bittan on Tunnel of Love, Solid Rock and classic rock radio staple Skateaway. Though these songs are great on Making Movies, they really shined on the 1984 live album, Alchemy - one we have reviewed and one of The Wolf's very favorites. If you're a Brothers in Arms or Greatest Hits only fan, we think you'll like this one as the piano, the guitar and Mark's lyrics set landscapes and tell the stories of a man trying to make it in the fast-paced world of rock n roll! Check out our new website: Ugly American Werewolf in London Website Twitter Threads Instagram YouTube LInkTree www.pantheonpodcasts.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

S1 Ep 254UAWIL #254: The Police - Zenyatta Mondatta
By 1980, The Police were really on a roll. Their first two albums, Outlandos d'Amour and Regatta de Blanc had introduced their punk/reggae stylings to the world and had earned platinum awards on both sides of the Atlantic. Their success meant they were in demand - as a live act around the world and in the studio by A&M records. Also due to their success, they had to record outside of the UK and chose Wisseloord Studio in the Netherlands to work on their third record, Zenyatta Mondatta. However, they had to wrap up the Regatta de Blanc tour, retreat to The Netherlands with whatever they had been writing on the road, run off to Ireland and Milton Keynes for a couple of shows, record and mix the album all in one month before they disembarked for their next tour. Though they were working with Nigel Gray, producer of their first two albums, they didn't have time to explore the songs as much as they just needed to lay them down so they could release the record on time. Still, under all that pressure, they managed to cobble together a fine album that would go double platinum in the US. Thanks in large part to the lead single Don't Stand So Close To Me, an ode to Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov based on Sting's experience as a teacher, which would be the boys first #1 in the UK and first Top 10 in the US. Though the lyrics may have been troubling, the song is an upbeat dance tune - something The Police would master while talking about famine (Driven To Tears), the importance of the words people say (De Doo Doo Doo, De Da Da Da) and the monotony of life on the road (Man In A Suitcase). Of course Sting did most of the writing but Andy Summers contributed the Grammy winning Behind My Camel (instrumental) and Stewart Copeland offered Bombs Away & The Other Way of Stopping. The Police never liked the mix on the record and felt they could have done better. They rerecorded the two singles in an ill-fated reunion attempt in 1986 and Sting would rework Shadows In The Rain on Dream of The Blue Turtles. But for Police fans this does stand the test of time and we celebrate Zenyatta Mondatta as it turns 45. Check out our new website: Ugly American Werewolf in London Website Twitter Threads Instagram YouTube LInkTree www.pantheonpodcasts.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

First Concert Memories #27: Led Zeppelin with Tony Michaelides
As teenagers, The Wolf & Action Jackson dreamed of seeing Led Zeppelin live. However, the boys came of age in the 1980s after the band had broken up following the death of John Bonham. They were forced to live with ill-fated one-off reunions like Live Aid, Atlantic Records 40th and Knebworth. While they jumped at the chance to see Page/Plant in the mid-90s doing reworked versions of Zeppelin classics, they knew it would never be the same as a proper Led Zeppelin concert back in the day. On this 27th edition of First Concert Memories, the monthly sidecast from the hosts of The Ugly American Werewolf in London Rock Podcast, the boys are psyched to speak with Tony Michaelides. Tony had the rare privilege to see Led Zeppelin as a teenager in Manchester right before they blasted their way to superstardom. He tells the story of Robert Plant inviting him backstage to meet the rest of the guys in the band after the show and how having a signed Zeppelin poster made him the talk of the school yard that next week. However, this was actually just the beginning of Tony going backstage and interacting with artists as he would eventually have a 4 decade career in the music biz working with such luminaries as David Bowie, Peter Gabriel, Steve Winwood and more. Tony has gone on to write books about his experience in the industry and hosts a podcast, Moments That Rock, which share some of his amazing stories from over the years. We may not always be able to keep him on point but we do talk a bit about the show, Zeppelin's place in history and how the industry has changed over the years. A fun chat with a true rock veteran! Check out our new website: Ugly American Werewolf in London Website Twitter Threads Instagram YouTube LInkTree www.pantheonpodcasts.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

S1 Ep 253UAWIL #253: Steve Hackett - Voyage of the Acolyte
1975 found Genesis in a time of transition. After coming off a lengthy and technically difficult tour for their 1974 album The Lamb LIes Down On Broadway, most everyone was a little burned out. Peter Gabriel ended up leaving the band to embark on a solo career (one that would land him in the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame) and the band were left with a lengthy audition process to replace him. Meanwhile, guitarist Steve Hackett had been accumulating music he'd written to keep him sane on the road during the difficult Lamb tour. But not only did Steve have pieces leftover from Genesis sessions, he'd begun to write pieces that might not make sense in the context of the band - acoustic pieces and songs written for a woman's voice. So while on a break from the band, he conjured up Voyage of the Acoylyte - his first solo record released on the same label as Genesis, Charisma. To help Steve lay down these track, he enlisted the help of bandmates Mike Rutherford and Phil Collins (who would go onto replace Gabriel as the lead singer of Genesis after dozens of singers were deemed unworthy). The opening Ace of Wands is a real showcase for Steve's guitar playing - crisp tone with technique that creates a rich soundscape. And while he does do a bit of singing on the record, he leaves the vocals to more capable collaborators like Sally Oldfield on Shadow of the Hierophant and Phil Collins on Star of Sirius. While some of this might have made sense on a Genesis album, some of the acoustic pieces or parts accompanied by his brother John Hackett on flute stand out as something different to what his band would usually produce. With a loose concept around the names of Tarot Cards, Voyage of the Acolyte takes you on a heroes journey with all sorts of incredible textures and sounds with Steve's guitar as the main focus. 50 years later, he still plays these songs live and they fit in very well with the classic Genesis songs that Steve still honors live. Check www.hackettsongs.com for tour dates Check out our new website: Ugly American Werewolf in London Website Twitter Threads Instagram YouTube LInkTree www.pantheonpodcasts.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

S1 Ep 252UAWIL #252: Oasis - What's The Story Morning Glory
Longtime listeners of our show know that The Wolf is an unabashed American Oasis fan. Though he wasn't onboard from the jump, once he discovered the melodies and lyrics of Noel Gallagher, he became a true believer ready to fly the Oasis flag in an attempt to convert more US fans. But Oasis were more of a phenomenon in the UK thanks to a new liberal government, the rise of Brit Pop and Cool Britannia while they were just a couple of foul-mouthed heathens against the grunge-dominated US. However, their 2nd album, What's The Story Morning Glory, is one of the best selling records in the history of the UK and did enjoy strong success in the US. From the opening track Hello (a great way to start an album and concert) to the light and popular Champagne Supernova, Oasis created a juggernaut that was ready to explode after the success of their debut, Definitely Maybe. And while Some Might Say and Don't Look Back in Anger would go on to be the first two #1 hits for the band in the UK, while Wonderwall would become known as one of the biggest pop/rock songs in UK history, you can't tell the full story of the album without the b-sides. Made during the heyday of CDs and CD singles, everytime the band released a new single they gave their fans 4 songs - basically an EP every couple of months. Included in these releases are some amazing songs like Acquiesce (perhaps the greatest b-side of all time), Talk Tonight, Rocking Chair, Masterplan and an amazing version of Cum on Feel The Noize. The 2014 re-release captures all those songs and more and is highly recommended by The Wolf to stream or buy. Obviously Noel Gallagher went through an incredibly creative period using different styles like the hard rocking Morning Glory, fun and jangling She's Electric, and foot stomping Roll With It. On their current world reunion tour, they play 8 songs off the album and 3 more b-sides from the era. Their epic performance at Glastonbury reflected how far the band had come in 2 short years from just learning the songs to being the biggest rock band on the planet. As it turns 30 and the boys are out on their victory lap tour, we take some time to dial into all the songs, the difference between their success in the UK vs the US and ponder what the future might hold for the brothers Gallagher. Check out our new website: Ugly American Werewolf in London Website Twitter Threads Instagram YouTube LInkTree www.pantheonpodcasts.com #oasis #noelgallagner #liamgallagher Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

S1 Ep 251UAWIL #251: Rush - Caress of Steel
In late 1975, Rush were feeling confident. Their previous album Fly By Night had taken a step forward from their eponymous debut and new drummer Neil Peart had not only set a new standard for drumming but was ready to become the band's lyricist thanks to his voracious appetite for reading. Thanks to Neil, the lyrics could become more introspective while also walking into a fantastic fantasy world of conquering heroes and their journies. But not everything they did was relatable for the average teenage rock fan. Bastille Day, a triumphant rocker that opens the album, harkens back to the French Revolution. I Think I'm Going Bald was a bit of an inside joke but was truly a song about growing up and growing older. While the nostalgic Lakeside Park recalled times from Neil's youth, it was a mellow tune about innocence vs. experience. However the epic Necromancer, a nod to Neil's JRR Tolkien worship, and The Fountain of Lamneth were 12 and 20 minute suites of music more suited to the likes of 70s Yes or Genesis than the Led Zeppelin's of the world who Rush seemed to be more like on their first two outings. While these long, proggy songs are to be admired for their musicianship and the boys maturity at around 22 years old to be able to write and play mature stories, it falls short of what they would achieve on their next record, 2112. Sales, radio play and concert turnouts were so bad that the record company demanded the next album feature more radio friendly material or they'd be dropped. While Rush stuck to their guns and made 2112 their own way, which led them to their greatest success to that point and put them on their own path, Caress of Steel is a bit of an outlier beloved by very few in the #RushFamily. As it turns 50, we finally give it our track x track review. Check out our new website: Ugly American Werewolf in London Website Twitter Threads Instagram YouTube LInkTree www.pantheonpodcasts.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

S1 Ep 250UAWIL #250: Hugh Syme Interview
EWe at The Wolf are excited to present our 250th episode of UAWIL and want to take a moment to thank all our loyal listeners & social media followers. Building this show and the community of fellow rock fans has been such a fun and sometimes magical adventure around the world these past 5 years. We want to express our sincere thanks for coming on the journey with us. Also, we like to do big guests on our 50th shows - Ryan Condal EP of House of the Dragon Ep 50, Nick Mason's Saucerful of Secrets live (after welcoming Gary Kemp and Guy Pratt on earlier to promote the show) Ep 100, Steve Kilbey of The Church Ep 150 and Steve Howe of Yes Ep 200. And we are proud to welcome one of rock music's most celebrated and contracted cover artists, Hugh Syme. Hugh is best known for his work with Rush over 50 years as their first collaboration, Caress of Steel, is 50 this year. We learned from Hugh first hand how his original piece of art was given the sepia tone at print which we all know and the songs which inspired the front and back covers. We hear about working with Neil Peart, Bob Ezrin, David Coverdale, Jimmy Page and the many models he immortalized with iconic album covers. Hugh is also an accomplished musician in his own right and talks about recording with Rush, working with former guest of UAWIL Jim McCarty of The Yardbirds and jamming with Aerosmith. We found Hugh to be soft spoken yet wryly funny as he related tales of living in London as a teenager, working as a musician in Toronto, and the 80s and 90s living in LA when it was the heart of the music business. And for you Rush fans, listen until the end as he announces he just submitted his artwork for an upcoming Rush anniversary reissue of one of our favorite 1980's Rush records. We had a delightful conversation with Hugh and we hope you enjoy it. Thanks again for all the support these 250 episodes - it means the world to us. Can we make it to 1,000??? Time will tell but if you keep listening and telling us what you want to hear about, we'll keep making them. Thank you all!! Check out our new website: Ugly American Werewolf in London Website Twitter Threads Instagram YouTube LInkTree www.pantheonpodcasts.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

First Concert Memories #26: Van Halen 5150 with Ilan Fong
EOn the 26th edition of First Concert Memories, we go back to 1986 to hear the story of one young rock fan's first ever Van Halen concert. Our Pantheon Podcasts brother Ilan Fong of What's Hot in the Strip Clubs was only 8 or 9 years old when he heard his older sister playing Van Halen I on her stereo. From that moment, his life was changed and was always curious about the music coming from the rooms of his older siblings. He'd wanted to see the 1984 tour but he was too young and his older brother told him because he'd just seen the Diver Down Tour, he would sit out 1984 and then take Ilan to the next one. The only problem there is the band broke up. David Lee Roth went solo and Van Halen famously replaced him with former Montrose singer Sammy Hagar. Hear how Ilan looked forward to finally seeing his guitar hero Eddie Van Halen perform his immortal solo live in Pittsburgh in August of 1986. We dissect the setlist (so few Dave era songs), discuss what Sammy was up to while the other guys did their solos, and where it ranked among all the Van Halen and David Lee Roth live shows. And as a bonus, he tells a story of intrigue with Guns N Roses as they returned to Montreal for the first time after the Axl Rose meltdown that led to a riot. A tale of strip clubs, drug dealers, and snowball fights that you'll definitely enjoy! Visit Ilan at www.whatshotitsc.com Check out our new website: Ugly American Werewolf in London Website Twitter Threads Instagram YouTube LInkTree www.pantheonpodcasts.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

S1 Ep 249UAWIL #249: The Replacements - Tim
EBy 1985, The Replacements had seen and done a few things. They'd recorded a couple of records (see our review of Let It Be at 40) and been out on some tours. They'd made enough noise that they were signed to major label Sire and were ready to take on the world with bigger shows, music videos and tv appearances. But wait, were they? The boys were still drinking heavily thanks to Bob Stinson and Paul Westerberg's crippling stagefright. They still hated doing any kind of promotion, which they saw as selling out and not punk. And when they finally made it on Saturday Night Live in early 1986 to promote their 1985 classic, Tim, they were banned for life for Westerberg's use of the f word on live tv. However, Westerberg's poignant songwriting and raspy vocals were at the top of their game and Tim is considered a true masterpiece of the 1980s. It may not have even gone gold, but songs like Hold My LIfe, Kiss Me On The Bus and Dose of Thunder not only showed that they could arrange a quality pop song but could address issues that may be in juxtaposition from their hard rockin punk riffs. Swingin Party talks about how hard it is to be an introvert in forced social situations, Little Mascara is the tale of a girl with bad taste in men who loses nothing when her loser guy finally leaves her and Left Of The Dial captures life on the road between college towns for a band trying to make it. Originally, the album had a bad mix. However, thanks to a 2023 remix as part of a box set from Ed Stasium, these songs can now be heard clearly and loud the way they were always supposed to be heard. As Tim turns 40, we celebrate what is likely The Replacements greatest achievement and go track by track to show why everyone should be familiar with this 1985 gem. Check out our new website: Ugly American Werewolf in London Website Twitter Threads Instagram YouTube LInkTree www.pantheonpodcasts.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

S1 Ep 248UAWIL #248: The Black Crowes Live in '25
EThe Wolf has had a complicated relationship with The Black Crowes. As a young man, he felt the music industry had conspired to anoint the Crowes as the next big thing in rock. MTV, rock radio, Rolling Stone, etc all seemed to be on the Crowes bandwagon and were shoving them down our throats (or that's what it seemed like). The fact that their first single was a cover and Chris Robinson's cocky attitude just didn't jibe with what our host was looking for in the early 90s. However, after seeing them open for the Grateful Dead in 1995, he bore witness to what a great live band they were. So while he still may have had issues with their front man and his attitude, the fact of the matter were they were the real deal live. But when his idol Jimmy Page joined the Crowes for a tour and eventually released a live album with them, again he was despondent that his biggest guitar hero had taken up with this band he didn't love. BTW - the newly released deluxe edition of them Live at the Greek is a killer Crowes or Zeppelin collectible. in 2024, Aerosmith was supposed to do one final tour and the Black Crowes were slated to open for them. When Aerosmith was forced to cancel the tour, The Wolf found himself more disappointed in missing the Crowes than the last gasp of Aerosmith. So when the Black Crowes came to town as a headliner, The Wolf wasn't going to miss his chance and he wasn't disappointed. Hear him discuss with Action Jackson the band, their show, the power of Chris Robinson's voice, the guitar porn, the stuff he didn't know and the Rolling Stones cover that he wasn't expecting. A great live show and we're happy to share it with some soundbites for your listening pleasure! Check out our new website: Ugly American Werewolf in London Website Twitter Threads Instagram YouTube LInkTree www.pantheonpodcasts.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices