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What does it take to maintain a career in music? We track down members of bands that we love and find out what their lives are like now.
Episodes
Jul 5, 2020
Jul 5, 2020
1hr 26 min
We are honored to bring back UB40 founding member Robin Campbell to talk about the band's latest album For The Many from 2019. This highly political piece of work is a perfect look at our current time in history and expresses the frustrations of many of us living in this turbulent period. UB40 have always had a knack for expressing the feelings of the politically oppressed and For The Many continues that tradition. It's their best album in decades and we need it now more than ever.
Jul 1, 2020
Jul 1, 2020
2hr 1 min
Producer Chris Hughes has been behind the boards for some very important music, but you wouldn't have guessed it if you go back to the beginning. Chris started out as the drummer in Adam and the Ants. That burundi sound that made Adam so special? That was Chris! He began producing the early Adam albums which lead to other high-profile gigs like Tears For Fears' The Hurting and Songs From the Big Chair, Wang Chung, Howard Jones, Red Box, Ric Ocasek, Paul McCartney, Robert Plant and Peter Gabriel. Chris's own solo work hearkens back to artists like Steve Reich, so you can see his taste is diverse and exquisite. We hear the stories behind all of it. For my money, he's one of the best producers there's ever been.
Jun 29, 2020
Jun 29, 2020
1hr 15 min
Jun 23, 2020
Jun 23, 2020
57 min
Suzi Quatro is the original rock chick and a stone-cold legend. She's currently celebrating 50 years in the rock world and finally getting her due as the pioneer that she is. This legacy makes her the perfect subject of an incredible new documentary on her life called Suzi Q. The film details her early years as a teenager singing with her sisters in Detroit, her global rise (though not in the States) as a glam rocker with hits like "Can The Can", "Devil Gate Drive" and "Stumblin' In", and her various changes in career like Leather Tuscadero on "Happy Days". Suzi Q will be released on VOD and DVD on July 3rd and there is a special virtual Q&A with Suzi hosted by Cherie Currie and Kathy Valentine on July 1st. Details are in the link below. We get into the specifics on all of these topics and many more. Let's get Suzi in the RnR Hall of Fame!
Jun 22, 2020
Jun 22, 2020
1hr 42 min
This week we welcome back one of our most entertaining guests, producer Alan Shacklock to deep dive Roger Daltrey of The Who's solo album from 1985, Under a Raging Moon. This chat includes stories like how bandmate Pete Townshend came to write the hit song "After the Fire", how songwriters like Jim Vallance and John Parr got involved, and how the epic title track, a tribute to Keith Moon that featured many of the greatest drummers of all time like Stewart Copeland, Roger Taylor, Martin Chambers, Mark Brzezicki and many more on the same song, was created. You're going to love this!
Jun 17, 2020
Jun 17, 2020
2hr 5 min
Danny Kortchmar has built a wildly successful career that has lasted over 50 years. This career has included playing guitar for legends like his childhood friend James Taylor, Linda Ronstadt, Jackson Browne and Carole King. It has also included producing people like Don Henley, Ivan Neville, Billy Joel, and Jon Bon Jovi. And, lastly, there was songwriting for artists like Hall & Oates and John Waite. Today, he's joined with other legendary session guys - Leland Sklar, Russ Kunkel, Waddy Wachtel and Steve Postell - to form the supergroup The Immediate Family. "Kootch" shares fun, juicy stories about all of these projects and more, you won't want to miss this!
Jun 12, 2020
Jun 12, 2020
54 min
Some of the greatest session musicians in history have come together to form the hottest supergroup in the land - The Immediate Family. Made up of legends Lee Sklar on bass, Russ Kunkel on drums, and Waddy Wachtel, Danny Kortchmar and today's guest Steve Postell on guitar. Their first single, "Cruel Twist" drops today! To kick things off, Steve tells us how the band came together and how he, as the "new guy", joined the fray. We also discuss his career as a popular session guy in the NYC scene and his choice of gear!
Jun 11, 2020
Jun 11, 2020
33 min
When someone we love passes away we do our best to pay tribute to them by having a discussion with a former guest that knows them. With the surprising passing of Rupert Hine we invited back Duncan Sheik to discuss his work with Rupert and our thoughts on his career. Please take a minute to enjoy the work of Rupert Hine by playing something wonderful that he worked on!
Jun 10, 2020
Jun 10, 2020
1hr 41 min
Engineer Shelly Yakus is famous for having some of the "best ears in the business." And these ears have served him well for over 50 years. John Lennon's "Imagine"? That's him. BOC's "Don't Fear the Reaper"? Him too. Benchmark albums like Moondance, Berlin, Music From Big Pink and Rattle and Hum all pass through Shelly Yakus. Some of his greatest work might have been with Tom Petty, like Damn the Torpedoes, another Shelly project. We discuss all of these as well as Stevie Nicks, Bob Seger, the Raspberries and Eurythmics. When producers wanted something to sound perfect, they called on Shelly and now he shares some of his stories with us. Enjoy!
Jun 7, 2020
Jun 7, 2020
1hr 3 min
What's it like being the frontman for the most popular cover band working today? Does it provide a nice life? Is it artistically fulfilling? These are some of the questions discussed with Nick Niespodziani, lead singer for the mighty Yacht Rock Revue. Nick discusses how a mid-life crisis birthed their new album of original, yachty, material called Hot Dads in Tight Jeans and how his band's success has eclipsed some of the bands they cover! We also countdown his top 5 yacht rock songs, and discuss how the quarantine is impacting them from rockin' and yachtin'. Nick comes from a unique segment of the music business and it's interesting hearing his perspective. Enjoy!
Jun 3, 2020
Jun 3, 2020
1hr 32 min
Songwriter Shelly Peiken could be considered the "Queen of the Woman Empowerment Anthem." She's written tons of songs for tons of artists - everyone from Britney and Celine to Miley and Brandy. But her two biggest anthems are also her biggest hits - "What a Girl Wants" by Christina Aguilera and "Bitch" by Meredith Brooks. These days she's taking matters into her own hands as she prepares to release her first solo album, 2.0 etc in August. She also wrote a fantastic book about all of it called Confessions of a Serial Songwriter that is as honest and enjoyable as her songs are. We discuss her place in the business today, her legacy, the new album, and the stories behind these songs and more including INXS, Joe Cocker and Meat Loaf. A couple former guests factor heavily in this conversation as well. She's an engaging and wise woman. Enjoy!
May 31, 2020
May 31, 2020
1hr 17 min
For our next Deep Dive we invited back bassist Phil Spalding (ep 48) to discuss his time in the short-lived super group GTR. The self-titled album from 1986 is the one and only document of the partnership between legendary guitarists Steve Howe and Steve Hackett. They both brought their prog rock bona fides from Yes and Genesis and mixed it with killer pop rock resulting in the surprising hit "When the Heart Rules the Mind". Phil explains the history of the band, how the album came to be, and why it ended so quickly. Enjoy!
May 27, 2020
May 27, 2020
1hr 39 min
We close out this series on Joe Jackson by chatting with his longest musical partner, bassist Graham Maby. Graham and Joe go back to the beginning and Graham has been present for most of Joe's many musical projects over the years. From "Is She Really Going Out With Him", to the symphonies, to Joe's last album Fool from 2019. What is it about Graham that makes Joe want him around more than anyone else? What is the dynamic of their relationship? We explore these questions as well as his time outside of Joe that includes Marshall Crenshaw, They Might Be Giants, Henry Lee Summer, Joan Baez and Natalie Merchant. Graham's one of the finest bassists around today, we're lucky to hear from him!
May 22, 2020
May 22, 2020
1hr 6 min
Jon's daughter Georgia makes her triumphant return to the podcast, as this time the pair countdown the top 5 songs they introduced to each other. So, Jon's picks are the cool, new songs you might hear on the radio, and Georgia's are the classics she's been force-fed her whole life. Either way, there's great music here!
May 20, 2020
May 20, 2020
3hr 9 min
Joe Jackson is one of the most creative and complicated artists of the last 50 years. He never stays in one place for long, always wiggling out of one genre and into another. This week we attempt to tell part of the JJ story through the perspectives of his first three guitarists. Gary Sanford was there at the beginning and played on the first three albums that launched Joe's career. Vinnie Zummo took over after the "no guitars", Night and Day era that brought him fame. And then Tom Teeley dropped in for the Laughter and Lust album before Joe turned again to focus on composing symphonies through most of the 90s. Three versions of the story, three very different personalities and three fantastic musicians who contributed to Joe's sound and tell stories of their other adventures. If you love Joe, you'll love this!
May 17, 2020
May 17, 2020
1hr 37 min
Our most popular guest ever, Level 42's Mike Lindup, returns to Deep Dive the band's debut self-titled album from 1981. We discuss the formation of the band, how the songs and performances came together including classics like "Love Games" and "Starchild," and how they found their signature sound. Level 42 went on to release several classic albums, but it all started here and remains close to Mike's heart, as well as the fan's.
May 13, 2020
May 13, 2020
1hr 32 min
The Wonder Stuff are one of those fantastic bands that only the UK can produce. And leader Miles Hunt is a personality few can rival. Honest, opinionated, and incredibly cheeky, Miles is the complete package. Sometimes that wit has gotten him in some trouble, but today he says he's a changed man. We discuss the height of Wonder Stuff fame, the new album Better Being Lucky, and hits like "Welcome to the Cheap Seats", "A Wish Away", "Mission Drive" and many others. We also get some unfiltered details on making a career as a musician, his time working with MTV, and much more. He and his band are one of a kind, we're lucky to have them! Enjoy!
May 11, 2020
May 11, 2020
1hr 9 min
The coolest thing happened to Rock and Roll Hall of Fame drummer Doug "Cosmo" Clifford recently. While tooling around in his garage he found the master tapes to a solo album he recorded in 1985! When he gave the tapes a listen, he really liked what he heard, so he polished them up and released them last month. The album, called Magic Window, is a great rock record from the era and points the way to a possible solo career that never quite materialized. In this conversation we learn how it all happened, where he was in his life back then, and some CCR-related stories, including Woodstock and the true story of the "reunion" that was announced last year. Enjoy hearing from a legend and get your hands on Magic Window!
May 7, 2020
May 7, 2020
1hr 48 min
Last week we covered Rock Docs so this week we're sharing our round table discussion on Rock Books. For this we've invited more of our fellow podcasting brethren - BJ Kramp of the Rock and/or Roll podcast, Lane Hewitt of the Melody Motel pod, and Bakko from Cobras and Fire. We debate the good ones, the bad ones, audiobooks, biographies vs. autobiographies, and we countdown our top three recommendations. Hopefully these chats make your quarantining a little more bearable. And these are such rich topics, so expect more!
May 6, 2020
May 6, 2020
1hr 32 min
The Hustle turns five this week and we are celebrating with Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Jerry Harrison! In normal times, this year would have been a time for celebration. Talking Heads seminal album Remain In Light turns 40 this year and Jerry was going to go on tour to play the album with original guitarist, the legendary Adrien Belew. Hopefully, that can get back on track soon. Jerry and I go deep on that album, the progression of the Talking Heads sound, his solo work, his time in the Modern Lovers, and some of his fantastic production work with bands like Live and General Public. We are so lucky to hear from legends like Jerry!
May 4, 2020
May 4, 2020
1hr 34 min
Australian band Real Life have many classic albums, but we thought it would be fun to invite back front man David Sterry (ep 73) to discuss a covers album he did in 2008 of classic 80s synth pop and new wave songs. Not only do you get to hear Real Life's take on standards like "I Melt With You", "Blue Monday", and "Cars" but you also get to hear what these songs and artists meant to him. Real Life also put out a new album recently called Sirens that we discuss as well. (Listen up for how David himself will email you a copy!) David's one of our favorites, so we hope you enjoy it!
reallifemusic@outlook.com
Apr 30, 2020
Apr 30, 2020
1hr 57 min
In this time of quarantining we could all use some distractions. In this spirit, we bring you this roundtable discussion on Rock Docs. Joining the discussion are fellow podcasters Brad Page from the I'm In Love With That Song podcast, Eric Miller from the Pods & Sods Network, and Ben Montgomery from Records Revisited. Together we debate the good ones vs. the bad ones, will we watch a doc about any musical topic, and we countdown some of our faves and recommendations. A complete list of every doc mentioned and where it's available will be posted on the facebook page. If you like these, we'll do more! Enjoy!
Apr 28, 2020
Apr 28, 2020
1hr 3 min
At this point, Joey Scarbury is a bit of a pop culture icon. He's the voice of the eternal "Believe It Or Not", that most excellent theme song to the Greatest American Hero, which reached #2 in 1981. But what else do we know about him? Where did he come from? How did he happen to sing that song? Why was there not more? What has he been doing ever since? We go about answering those questions. Today, Joey leads as normal a life as you and me. Here's the whole story!
Apr 26, 2020
Apr 26, 2020
1hr 34 min
Jon and Jan recap the first quarter of 2020, the ups and the downs (extremes on both ends). the messiness of normal life, how we're handling the quarantine, what we're watching, and what we thought of the last three month's worth of episodes.
https://www.patreon.com/thehustlepod?fan_landing=true
Apr 22, 2020
Apr 22, 2020
2hr 2 min
Once again, we're joined by a fantastic producer that's behind tons of music we all love. Clive Langer started out fronting the crucial Liverpool band, Deaf School in the 70s. While they never made it global, they were a really big deal locally. Soon, Clive with his musical partner Alan Winstanley "fell into" producing the first singles by Madness (he's produced almost everything Madness has ever done) and it was off to the races. Artists like Teardrop Explodes, Elvis Costello, Dexy's Midnight Runners, Bush, Morrissey, They Might Be Giants, Hothouse Flowers and David Bowie all followed. We hear about all of these, including the creation of "Come On Eileen", how he wrote "Shipbuilding" for Robert Wyatt and, of course, the manic flurry around recording "Dancing in the Streets" with Bowie and Mick Jagger. More recently, Clive formed a new band called the Clang Group, which we also discuss. SO much great music in this one, the guy's a legend!
Apr 18, 2020
Apr 18, 2020
1hr 34 min
We're trying something different this time. We're proud to welcome Van Halen Rising author Greg Renoff to deep dive Van Halen's debut album from 1978. Greg is probably considered THE expert on the early days of Van Halen, so it made sense to hear the stories he knows about the creation of this seminal work. In addition, Greg is now releasing his next book, Ted Templeman: A Platinum Producer's Life in Music which features Ted's recollections of working with artists like Van Halen, the Doobie Brothers, Nicolette Larson, BulletBoys and many others.
https://www.patreon.com/thehustlepod
Apr 14, 2020
Apr 14, 2020
1hr 48 min
Peabody Award-winning rock writer David Wild joins us to share tales from his many years as a rock journalist at Rolling Stone and his tenure as a writer/producer on just about every music award show of the last 20 years. Top on that list is "Let's Go Crazy: The GRAMMY Salute to Prince" airing on Tuesday, April 21st on CBS and featuring Earth Wind and Fire, Sheila E., Gary Clark Jr. and many more. If you've heard David before you know he's a master storyteller, so we get to hear his interactions with people like David Bowie, Hall & Oates, Terence Trent D'Arby, Paul McCartney, Morrissey, LL Cool J and about a hundred more. Sit back and enjoy!
Apr 13, 2020
Apr 13, 2020
1hr 21 min
We're welcoming back Glen Burtnik (ep76) this week to discuss his second album, 1987's Heroes and Zeros. Glen's debut, Talking in Code, is a favorite of mine and when combined with H&Z showcases his incredible ability to write catchy, pop/rock songs. Unfortunately, neither album got the attention they deserved (even though the single "Follow You" should have been a hit), but Glen has maintained a successful and busy music career ever since. Enjoy!
Apr 8, 2020
Apr 8, 2020
57 min
Lisa Velez always wanted to be a singer and that dream came true when the mighty Full Force production team plucked her from the dance clubs in her early teens (!) to sing the classic "I Wonder If I Take You Home". The mixture of Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam's performance and Full Force's production struck gold for a couple years when tracks like "Head to Toe" and "Lost in Emotion" also went on to be giant hits. Eventually the hits slowed down, but Lisa Lisa has never stopped performing. In here we talk about how she got discovered, what it was like being a teenager in that environment, what the challenges were as a woman in that environment, and her thoughts on the music. She couldn't be sweeter!
Apr 1, 2020
Apr 1, 2020
1hr 29 min
Bruce Woolley has done a lot, but his largest contribution to pop culture is probably writing "Video Killed the Radio Star." Back in the 70s, he and his friend Trevor Horn created that song while pursuing their musical goals - Trevor with the Buggles and Bruce with the Camera Club. Of course MTV made the song iconic. His partnership with Trevor has continued to this day, in fact Bruce also wrote "Slave to the Rhythm" for Grace Jones (produced by Trevor), as well as songs by Cher, John Farnham and many others. These days he plays the theremin (!) in the Radio Science Orchestra. Imagine being an expert theremin player! He's got many wonderful stories that we uncover here. Enjoy!
Mar 29, 2020
Mar 29, 2020
1hr 20 min
Eric Bazilian of the Hooters returns to the podcast to discuss the creation and recording of their 1985 breakthrough album Nervous Night. We get into how they stumbled on their unique sound, why God and spirituality plays such a role in Eric's lyrics, and how the success changed their life. We are so lucky to hear from incredible artists like Eric!
Mar 25, 2020
Mar 25, 2020
1hr 14 min
There is almost nothing drummer Peter Prescott can do that will overtake the shadow caused by his band Mission of Burma. In just a brief time in the early 80s they managed to set the template for what American post-punk should sound like. After only an album and an EP, the guys split up and did other projects, but the legend just continued to grow, culminating in being featured in the invaluable book Our Band Could Be Your Life. This provoked a victory lap in the early 2000s that resulted in more albums, tours, love and recognition and lasted over a decade. Today, with Burma behind him, Peter is focused on his excellent new band, Minibeast. We discuss how he views his career, how bands get labeled "cool", how he makes a living and what Minibeast is all about. Enjoy!
Mar 18, 2020
Mar 18, 2020
1hr 37 min
Chris Thompson is "the voice" behind the most misunderstood lyric in rock history. Is it possible to play "Blinded By The Light" and hear anything other than "revved up like a douche"? No way! But, that's only one line item on Chris's impressive resume. In addition to singing other classic Manfred Mann songs like "The Runner", his successful solo career has netted several highlights including 80s soundtrack classics from films like The Champ, All the Right Moves, and American Anthem. He also wrote "You're The Voice" which was made famous by John Farnham and is the biggest selling single in Australian rock history. We discuss his last solo album, 2016's excellent Toys and Dishes, his work with legends like Queen, Yes, and the Doobie Brothers, and he tells us his experience helping to organize the landmark Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert. Chris is a lifer whose career has hit many highs and lows along the way. Enjoy his fascinating journey!
Mar 11, 2020
Mar 11, 2020
1hr 16 min
Leee John never stops. Forty years ago he fronted the British r&b group Imagination that scored loads of hits around the globe like "Flashback," "Body Talk," and their signature tune "Just an Illusion." After a decade of success, Leee went out on his own and has consistently released music in all styles and genres, solidifying his place as one of the key voices in British dance music. These days he remains as busy as ever with new projects including a documentary on British black music, a subject he knows a lot about! Have a notebook handy as Leee takes us to school this week!
Mar 4, 2020
Mar 4, 2020
2hr 1 min
Producer Peter Wolf (not the J. Geils frontman) is behind some of the biggest music of the 80s, but also the most divisive. No matter how you may feel about "We Built This City" and "Everybody Have Fun Tonight" (and chances are you feel strongly) those songs were, and still are, huge. They also wouldn't be what they are without his Midas touch. In addition, Peter lent his genius to other classic songs of the era like "Who's Johnny," "Playing With the Boys," "Night Shift," and "King of Wishful Thinking." Plus, he's worked with some of rock's greatest artists like Lou Gramm, The Who, Heart, Big Country and Chicago. We discuss all of it, as well as the TV show he's currently developing. The guy is nothing if not savvy, you gotta give it up to him!
Feb 26, 2020
Feb 26, 2020
1hr 38 min
Bassist Arthur Barrow had a dream and it came true. That dream was to one day play with Frank Zappa and in the late 70s that's exactly what happened. What might be more interesting is where he went from there. Imagine going from Zappa to Giorgio Moroder! Arthur began a long and fruitful partnership with Giorgio (and his stable of producers including Keith Forsey and Richie Zito) that took up much of the 80s. This put Arthur in position to work closely with artists like Donna Summer, Berlin, Billy Idol, Charlie Sexton, Joe Cocker and former guests Martha Davis, EG Daily, Joe Esposito, and Paul Engemann. Arthur is very transparent about the ups and downs of his career. In fact, he told his story in his memoir "Of Course I Said Yes!: The Amazing Adventures of a Life in Music". He tells us all of it and more. Enjoy!
Feb 19, 2020
Feb 19, 2020
2hr 9 min
This week it's the accomplished producer/engineer/mixer Julian Mendelsohn! Julian's golden touch (and golden ears) created some of the most beloved songs of the 80s. He's responsible for legendary tracks like "Relax" by Frankie Goes to Hollywood and "Always On My Mind" by Pet Shop Boys. He's also worked closely with artists like Level 42, Paul McCartney, Tasmin Archer, Kate Bush, Nik Kershaw, Killing Joke, Go West, Pseudo Echo, INXS, The Firm, Fine Young Cannibals, Peter Gabriel, Aztec Camera, and many many more. We hear about all of these artists, as well as his relationship with Trevor Horn that included work with Yes and ABC. If you loved the ear candy coming from the UK in the 80s and 90s, chances are Jules had something to do with it. Enjoy!
Feb 11, 2020
Feb 11, 2020
1hr 35 min
This week we are honored to hear from one of the most decorated songwriters of all time, the legendary Holly Knight! Holly's career began in the early 80s with the AOR band Spider, but it was when other artists began having success recording songs she'd written (like John Waite's "Change" and Tina Turner's "Better Be Good to Me") that she switched her focus to songwriting. She went on to pen some of the biggest songs ever like "Love is a Battlefield", "The Warrior" and "The Best". In this conversation we cover those as well as many other hits and deep tracks. She also discusses her feelings about her place in history, as well as the marginalization of songwriters in general. It's the perfect show to listen to with your valentine!
Feb 5, 2020
Feb 5, 2020
1hr 19 min
This week we get to hear from the wonderful singer/songwriter Bonnie Hayes! Coming out of the Bay Area nearly 40 years ago with her band the Wild Combo, Bonnie mastered the new wave sound and even had a couple songs featured in the movie Valley Girl. For some reason, the solo career never quite took off like it should have, but good fortune bounced in her direction when some of her songs made their way to Bonnie Raitt and were included in her massive comeback album Nick of Time in 1989. From there Bonnie became an in demand songsmith as well as session musician touring and playing keys for both Belinda Carlisle and Billy Idol. These days she teaches songwriting at the prestigious Berklee School of Music and releases solo albums when the itch hits her. She's a fantastic lady and her story is incredible!
Feb 2, 2020
Feb 2, 2020
1hr 57 min
Jon and Noel from the Reliving My Youth podcast are at it again! This time they countdown their top 10 yacht rock songs. What counts as yacht rock? Is it a guilty pleasure or seriously awesome music? Do the songs hold up or are they tied too much to an era? You tell us how you feel!
Feb 1, 2020
Feb 1, 2020
1hr 4 min
Jon teams up with Steve and Drew from Suburban Underground once again, this time to play some of their favorite lesser known R&B jams! You hear songs you may not know from some of the legends of the genre, some modern goodies, and many others that may be completely new to you. Let us know what you think!
Feb 1, 2020
Feb 1, 2020
2hr 30 min
Jon and Jan discuss the highs and lows of 2019 including, the last few months worth of guests, our top 10 episodes of the year as well as the listener picks, and we answer your questions. 2019 was a wild ride and we share what we learned and how we feel about it. Special thanks to everyone that makes The Hustle a unique endeavor. We love you all!
Jan 31, 2020
Jan 31, 2020
21 min
It seemed fitting to pay tribute to an excellent Canadian drummer by speaking with another excellent Canadian drummer. Barry Connors of the fantastic AOR band Toronto (ep 9) returns to tell us what Neil meant to Canada, the influence he had on his own drumming style, and what it was like seeing Rush live back in the early days. There has never been anyone else like Neil Peart and we're lucky to discuss it with great people like Barry.
Jan 29, 2020
Jan 29, 2020
1hr 26 min
This week we are lucky to welcome the guitarist for one of the biggest bands of the 80s - Chris Hayes from Huey Lewis and the News! Chris and I discuss his time in the band and the stories behind many of the songs, but what I mostly wanted to know was why he chose to walk away almost 20 years ago. You realize what became more important to him was family and sobriety. He's a wonderful guy whose story is not well known. Enjoy!
Jan 22, 2020
Jan 22, 2020
3hr 7 min
If you were one of those people who read the liner notes on all your records, no doubt you saw the name Jerry Marotta on many of your favorites. From the late 70s til the mid 80s Jerry drummed for Peter Gabriel AND Hall and Oates at the same time! When those gigs came to an end he joined up with the Indigo Girls for a while. Along the way he recorded with the likes of Paul McCartney, Tears For Fears, Robbie Robertson, Fee Waybill, Sarah McLachlan, Los Lobos, Cher, John Mayer, and a bunch of others. Jerry is one of those brutally honest interviews and we hear amazing stories about all of these people, as well as the many things he's working on today. This one's another instant classic. You won't believe it!
Jan 17, 2020
Jan 17, 2020
34 min
One of our most popular guests, Marshall Crenshaw, returns to discuss the brand new deluxe vinyl edition of his 1996 album Miracle of Science. One of his great, but unsung albums is finally getting the treatment it deserves and is available now! Marshall recounts the writing and recording of it and we discuss the shows he's been doing with the Smithereens since the passing of frontman Pat DiNizio two years ago. Enjoy!
Jan 14, 2020
Jan 14, 2020
1hr 13 min
It's been a wild ride for Michelle Shocked. Her career as a protest singer began in the mid-80s by accident and has expanded to touch on every genre you can think of. She doesn't want to be pigeonholed and she does what she wants. Which makes the "Yoshi Incident" even more confusing. In March of 2013 during a concert in San Francisco, Michelle, believing rightly that there were bootleggers in the room, said some pretty despicable things about homosexuals and gay marriage. Her career's never been the same. Was she kidding? Did she mean what she said? Was it on purpose? Did she know she was being recorded? Why would someone who has devoted her life to fighting for artists rights and many other causes say these things? We try to get to the bottom of it, you decide if we were successful.
Jan 8, 2020
Jan 8, 2020
1hr 57 min
Charlie Midnight's success as a songwriter has spanned nearly 40 years. After partnering up with Dan Hartman in the early 80s, the two wrote a string of hits for both Dan and others, many of which were featured on soundtracks for films like Fletch, Ruthless People, Breakin', and Rocky 4 with James Brown making "Living in America" iconic. From there, Charlie forged his own successful writing and producing career working with artists like Joe Cocker, Billy Joel, the Doobie Brothers, and Joni Mitchell. We get deep into all of it and hear his rather inspiring take on hard work, songwriting, and surviving the music industry. Enjoy!
Jan 3, 2020
Jan 3, 2020
2hr 28 min
Audio engineer Brad Sundberg returns to discuss the making of the epic Quincy Jones album Back on the Block from 1989. The legendary producer called all of his famous friends to contribute to this opus of an album that went on to win seven Grammys and sell a million copies. Among the legends appearing on Back on the Block are Miles Davis, Ray Charles, Ella Fitzgerald, Ice T, Barry White, Sarah Vaughn, George Benson, James Ingram, Chaka Khan, Kool Moe Dee, the Brothers Johnson, Al B. Sure, Bobby McFerrin, Dizzy Gillespie and about a hundred others. Brad shares his stories from working on the project and what all these people are like one on one. If you're a music fan, you'll gobble up this entire conversation!
Dec 31, 2019
Dec 31, 2019
1hr 58 min
Imagine getting only one chance at the big time and it not working out. That can't be easy to deal with, but that's what happened to this week's guest, Tom Croucier of the band Life By Night. Tom's career started picking up steam in the early 80s when he played with both Scorpions and Dokken (his brother Juan is in Ratt), so when he fronted his own band that was equal parts rock and new wave, it seemed like a slam dunk. The result is the 1985 Life By Night album that featured the closest they came to a hit with the song "Phone to Phone." Sadly, the album fell into obscurity and Tom never got a second chance as a major label recording artist. Here, Tom shares his stories from his time on the big stage, the many personalities he worked and played with (including former guest Robert Tepper) and what he did when the music career ended. Tom's a great guy and Life By Night deserve a rediscovery.