Episode Transcript
Speaker 1 00:00:23 Well, hello there and welcome to episode 46 of the Rock Podcast. For those about pod we salute you. In this episode, we discuss the letter C in the A to Z of rock. There's also Rock News, new Rock on the Block where we discuss recent releases. There's of course, hidden Gem time and unsung heroes. So without further ado, here's everyone's hero. Here's Brian.
Speaker 2 00:00:55 Thank you very much. Thank you very much, buddy.
Speaker 1 00:00:58 You're welcome. I think I might have done that intro before, but anyway, whatever. It was a good one. All the same. Hope you enjoyed that.
Speaker 2 00:01:04 How you doing?
Speaker 1 00:01:06 I'm doing okay. Thank you. And you?
Speaker 2 00:01:08 I'm doing good. It's, uh, it's been a few weeks since we've spoken and it's been your birthday, young man, so happy birthday.
Speaker 1 00:01:16 Yes, indeed. Thank you. Thank you very much. Did
Speaker 2 00:01:19 You get anything nice?
Speaker 1 00:01:20 I got, I got some amazing presents and, and gifts and cards and texts and best wishes. That was very kind of you everyone. Thank you. Those who took the time to send best wishes and those who, what we are present. It could be you, Brian. I did an amazing piece of vinyl celebrating the number of the Beast album. Um,
Speaker 2 00:01:45 And your birthday was on record store day as well.
Speaker 1 00:01:47 That's true. I didn't, I didn't go to record store day.
Speaker 2 00:01:50 No, you were in the pub <laugh>.
Speaker 1 00:01:53 That's true.
Speaker 2 00:01:54 But I went on behalf of us.
Speaker 1 00:01:56 Did you? Yeah. And you know what? I've al I've always, I've, I've tried record store day once or twice, but what I've got there, there's, there's never been anything I want left. And, and it, when I have been earlier in the day, the queue has been down the street. So it's so, so I've gone to the pub instead. Probably. Um, did you, did you buy anything?
Speaker 2 00:02:17 I bought the Rainbow Rising Album.
Speaker 1 00:02:20 Oh, did you? You bought that? Yeah. Oh, is that, is that, is that some sort of reissue? Was it
Speaker 2 00:02:23 Yeah, it was it for me. Records store Day. I know that there's, um, artists and bands put out exclusive things for record store day, but I always like to just go into a record store. What I nearly bought Matt, which was more down my street, was I nearly bought prisoners in Paradise Europe, collect in edition picture disk for 30 quid <laugh>.
Speaker 1 00:02:51 That's all right.
Speaker 2 00:02:52 Yep. And, and I and the little shop, a little shop in Dunbar. Um, I may go back and pick it up at some point, but I nearly bought that, but I bought Rainbow Rising instead.
Speaker 1 00:03:04 Good Choice. Great album.
Speaker 2 00:03:06 Exactly.
Speaker 1 00:03:07 And of course we'll cover that in the Rs Well,
Speaker 2 00:03:10 I'm sure we will.
Speaker 1 00:03:11 Eight to Z of Rock
Speaker 2 00:03:13 Along with Mr. Ah, I was gonna say, see, I get this, I get this wrong. I was gonna say
Speaker 1 00:03:17 Mr. Richie. Yeah,
Speaker 2 00:03:19 Well, I was gonna go Mr. Ronnie <laugh>.
Speaker 1 00:03:21 Oh,
Speaker 2 00:03:22 Bob. We'll probably cover Mr. Dio in the DS <laugh>. That's true. Coming up soon.
Speaker 1 00:03:28 And no prizes for guessing. We'll be covering the Ds as well, but more of that next time. Exactly. Um, so well, let's caught your eyebrow in the news.
Speaker 2 00:03:37 Well, Aerosmith have just announced their Farewell US turp, so, uh, for our US listeners, you're in for a surprise and a bit of a brilliant package because Aerosmith had gone out, sadly without Joey Kremer. Joey's not making the tours, not, um, he's still a member of the band, but not touring. And the black crews will be their special guest. So that'll be a fantastic package. Um, kicking off in September and finishing up in January next year. Hopefully we might get some European shows. So yeah, whenever we're talking next, whenever we're talking about who's going to headline Donnington in 2024, <laugh>, probably Aerosmith will be on the list.
Speaker 1 00:04:24 Yeah.
Speaker 2 00:04:24 So that's the first thing that's come up in the news. Let's,
Speaker 1 00:04:26 No, that's, that's, I look forward to that. Um, and knowing, um, the band as we sort of do they, this is probably it, isn't it? Yeah. Because they are, they're well, obviously demonstrated by Joey Kramer, um, doing that thing, which is quite, seems to be quite a regular thing now days. We talked about it with Paul Quinn last time, although I don't think Brian Tattlers gonna replace Joey Kramer playing drums in, um, in, uh, Aerosmith. But, um, yeah, well, I mean, as you said, if you get a chance to go and see Aerosmith, they put in a hell of a show. Um, and Fantastic Souls of course hit hard to hit, so, um, yeah. Looks good. Yep. Um, in other news, Eddie Van Halens, famous guitar, at least one of them that was used in the, um, in the Hot for Teacher video back in, uh, 1984, um, as recently sold a auction. Now I know you like guitars, bra, you've got one, and so you're not, you, you, you can play the guitar, you're not very good, but you can play, um, as we've established many times,
Speaker 2 00:05:31 Maybe by, maybe by episode episode a hundred. Matt, I might, might be a little bit better.
Speaker 1 00:05:36 <laugh>. Uh, no, I, jokery Bride's a very, very, very accomplished musician. <laugh> as a, a minor chord coming on, by the way. Fantastic.
Speaker 2 00:05:46 Yeah.
Speaker 1 00:05:47 Oh, good. Anyway, so Eddie Van Halen's, CustomMade Kramer electric guitar, uh, as I said, it was played in the hot teacher video. I mean, I just can't believe these numbers. It's sold, but just shy of $4 million. Um, I mean, it's just, and it is an iconic guitar. Of course. Yeah. I think you'd like it in your, in your collection, wouldn't you? I have
Speaker 2 00:06:12 Never had a creamer guitar, but yes, I would. Eddie's nestling beside Eddie's guitar and nestling beside at Muslim mirrors were very nice. Indeed.
Speaker 1 00:06:21 I think if you paid $4 million for it, you'd probably keep it in a, like a, a, a secure vault somewhere. Yes. Just, just get it out in, on special occasions, $4 million for a guitar. Yeah. Staggering, isn't it? It is. What
Speaker 2 00:06:34 Do you think about it? And it's not, is it something like only the world's third or fourth most expensive guitar in auction, because Kirk Cobain's acoustic is still, it's still the number one, cuz it's sold for about 6 million. It's, yeah,
Speaker 1 00:06:50 It's staggering, isn't it? Yeah. Yeah. I mean, I, yeah, we talked about it. I don't think you and I even, you know, looking down the side of the sofa would've conjured up that amount of money. <laugh> could have bought it, could have bought a maybe a, you know, I don't know, string or something from it. Yeah, possibly. We'd have really sold every single item we own. But anyway, I mean, yeah, obviously the great man, um, you know, left a fantastic legacy.
Speaker 2 00:07:17 You know, every time there's a little bit of news about Van Hill and you go, wow, what a guitarist he was.
Speaker 1 00:07:25 Yeah, absolutely. Yeah. Amazing. Amazing. Um, in other news, um, so I went to a couple of gigs, gotta just mentioned those. Yeah. Um, where'd you go and see up front? Well, um, I went to see, uh, an excellent double bit, actually down in Brighton of, um, a Canadian band called the Commoners for World War Checking Out. Um, nice Guys too, actually. Uh, they, it was one of those double headlining tours. Um, and, um, they're one of those bands that I think you'll hear more of in future, the Commoners, um, first album, uh, so more recent album called, uh, find A Better Way Is is that Well, is Out. It's been out for a couple of months. Well, we're checking out. Mm-hmm. <affirmative>, uh, need to, I bought a copy of that when I was there, got the lads to sign it, which is great. Um, are we
Speaker 2 00:08:15 Given that away as a competition prize?
Speaker 1 00:08:18 No, no. I'll keeping that myself, <laugh>.
Speaker 2 00:08:22 Oh, maybe we'll have to start buying double of everything. Matt, keep one for yourself and then one is a competition.
Speaker 1 00:08:28 Oh yeah, maybe, maybe I should. That's a good, good shout actually. Uh, and then the first album is called No Stranger from 2016, but, um, well worth, um, well worth checking out, uh, really good band. And also on the bill was Troy Redfern, um, who again is, uh, uh, an up and coming artist. Um, one of those artists I think that you, you may have seen at festivals. You're certainly gonna be at the Maid of Stone Festival that we're going to in the summer. Um, excellent place, place, slide guitar, um, and, you know, great songs, very prolific. Yeah, it's his si his sixth album, um, wings of Salvation, which came out last year. I saw, I saw him actually with the Choir Boys last year. Um, so, you know, world War checking out if, um, if you get to see Troy or indeed the commoners, um, uh, try and make the effort to go and see them.
Speaker 1 00:09:19 Cause they're, as they're both up and coming and they appreciate people gonna see them. Um, and also I went to a Planet Rock event. Uh, our friend Matt won us, uh, entry to a meet and greet with, with Jay and Scott from Rival Sons, which is quite something, an acoustic set in the Planet Rock Studios, uh, five or six songs. Got to meet the guys out was lovely, lovely guys. I was a bit starstruck, of course, as you can imagine, <laugh>. Um, but they were, they were lovely. They're very humble and very friendly and very, uh, cordial and very accommodating. Um, but it was an amazing, the intimate event. There must have about 15 people in the room to watch them. So, um, yeah, hat's off to the rival sons for an amazing lunchtime set. I think, uh, JB Calendar singer was, was struggling because literally they just not long got off. I think he, not long got up, obviously being on, um, <laugh> a bit jet lagged, so that was good. We'll put some Rival Suns on the playlist as well as The Commons in Troy Redfin. Of course.
Speaker 2 00:10:18 Yeah. They've got, uh, rival Suns, is it their new albums Due and it's Dark Fighter.
Speaker 1 00:10:23 That's right. Yeah. They play a couple of songs from that actually. It sounds, uh, that's great.
Speaker 2 00:10:28 And talking about great singers, cuz Jay is fantastic and, and Oh
Speaker 1 00:10:32 Amazing.
Speaker 2 00:10:33 Yeah. Um, Steve Perry, who is the, um, amazing Voice of Journey or former voice of Journey, cuz he is, he's retired from live shows. Steve Perry has turned up as a guest vocalist for an Irish folk band called The High Kings Mat. Yeah. The High Kings of Co. They've got a new single coming out and they're going out on a world tour and they've, uh, Steve Perry is guesting on a track called The Streets of Conceal. And it is, if you listen to it, it's Irish folk music. So, um, the World Turf, our colleagues and, uh, or our, uh, again, anybody in the US watch out for Steve, he may end up guesting on stage. Cuz if you remember the last time Steve was on stage, he, uh, guested with the band, the Eels, uh, yeah. And the internet sort of broke down when they, when Steve Perry is seen live on stage for the first time, or what was it, 19 years or something. And it was like That's right. Yeah. He played with the Eels. So Yes. Steve Perry, uh, yeah. Is no playing Irish folk music.
Speaker 1 00:11:45 I think the more of that story, boys and girls, if you're at a band call Steve Perry, you might just say, yeah, okay, I'll play on your album. I'll sing on your album. Exactly. I'll, I'll come and jam with you when you play in, uh, you know, LA or San Francisco or wherever. Yeah.
Speaker 2 00:11:59 Well he's, he's gonna be singing on Dolly Parton's album. Allegedly. That's true. Yeah. They're going to, they're gonna duet on Open Arms
Speaker 1 00:12:07 <laugh>, it's gonna be some album. Cause I read recently the Vince Neal has been added to that, uh, roster as well. Vince Neil from Motley Cru, um, <laugh>, which would be interesting. I'm not sure what Motley Cru song he and Dolly are gonna sing. <laugh>. I, I hate to think, frankly,
Speaker 2 00:12:24 <laugh> showed at the Devil <laugh>
Speaker 1 00:12:25 Possibly. I can't see them doing Girls, girls, girls. No. Side, side by side. No, but we digress. But yeah, looking forward to that album. Actually. I should be out soon. Yeah. But the only time in my life I can say without Shadow Doubt that I look forward to a Dotty part album coming out. <laugh>. Um,
Speaker 2 00:12:44 And we today Wish Rock News, uh, sad News, um, recently, Matt that, um, horse Lips guitarist Johnny Fayne, um, died. Um, horse slips are widely regarded as the creators of Celtic Rock. Wasn't Thin, Lizzie. It was, it was Horse Lips. Somebody who we mentioned in the show quite a lot. Pat McManus from Mama's Boys has guested with, uh, with horse Lips many years. Um, and for those of us who watched the Old Gray Whistle test, how can you not remember Horse Lips with the, uh, playing the Track de Doom and the lead singer, uh, with his electric mandolin and his silver glove. And it was all very myth mythology and Irish Celtic Rock. So sad news that, that Johnny's passed. And, uh, I know that the band have lost a couple of members recently, but they still go out and play and, uh, keep the music. And for those of you who may be just coming to horse slips, just because we've mentioned it on the show, fear Not, there is a recent anthology box set, which has just been released, a 35 CD set mat.
Speaker 1 00:14:01 Amazing. Called
Speaker 2 00:14:03 More Than You Can Chew, which if I was buying a box set and had 35 discs on it, I don't think I'd Yeah, that that's a big an anthology.
Speaker 1 00:14:13 You got shelf that, don't you? That entire, that is an anthology.
Speaker 2 00:14:17 That is an anthology and a half. It's a tomb.
Speaker 1 00:14:20 Indeed. Exactly. Amazing. 35 CDs. 35
Speaker 2 00:14:24 CDs.
Speaker 1 00:14:24 It's more than Blind Thai collection.
Speaker 2 00:14:27 Oh, you j you're just saying that for the car. You're saying that for the audio. Matt, you've got CDs dashed away.
Speaker 1 00:14:32 I got, I got 36 I think <laugh>. Um,
Speaker 2 00:14:36 So Matt,
Speaker 1 00:14:38 Yes,
Speaker 2 00:14:38 Our new feature, one of our new features. It's nice settling into the show.
Speaker 1 00:14:43 I know. It's kind of bettered in now, isn't
Speaker 2 00:14:44 It? It's like a Well, it's good. Yeah. It's like a nicely fitting pair of Levi 5 0 1 s
Speaker 1 00:14:52 <laugh>. I was thinking a nicely fitted pair of slippers, but okay, let's go with your moral rock and roll
Speaker 2 00:14:57 <laugh>. Yes. This is where we talk about New Rock on the Block, new releases, new albums, new artists. So yes, one of the hotly anticipated albums of 2023 dropped. That's what the kids say, isn't it? The album drop?
Speaker 1 00:15:15 They do, they do say, yeah. Yeah, they do. How, how are they doing, by the way? Kids,
Speaker 2 00:15:19 The kids are okay. Kids are, it's it's exam times.
Speaker 1 00:15:22 It is, yeah. They're all busy revising, aren't they? Yeah. Kids are all right though.
Speaker 2 00:15:25 The kids are good. Kids are good. So these kids that we're going to talk about first on You Rocking The Block is the Metallica kids. So they have just released 72 Seasons, Matt, their 11th Studio album. Wow. Um, it's a long album again. 77 minutes. Um, I've listened to it and as you know, um, which is always good when you're doing a review of albums, always listen to it. Yes. Perhaps. Um, the, it's, it's very interesting, Matt. I have to say, um, I list the first few lessons to it. I have to say it reminded me quite a bit of Master of Puppets mixed with a little bit of the Black album. And it got me thinking it must be very hard for a band like Metallic with, with a signature sound as they have to come out and do something very, very different. They tried it with Sent Anger and we all lost our mind because of the production in the Drum signed.
Speaker 2 00:16:28 And I feel this album sits, it nestles nicely in between Master and Puppets and, and the Black album. And it's, if you're looking for that retro Metallica, it is, there's hints of minute, Matt, I'd be surprised you didn't like it cuz the, the riffs were just leading with riffs. Um, and GM Hatfield's vocal and lyrics was a real standout for me. Um, but production wise, I would've loved Bob Rock to be producing this album. It just was, it wasn't, didn't have that depth for me. It just, it could have been a lot wider. But there's some fantastic, uh, standout tracks on the album, sleepwalk My Life Away And You Must Burn Co-writes with Roberts Hill are fantastic and screaming Suicide is just, dare I say, diamond Head could have made that song match just lots of riffs. And Kirk Hamit, who often gets a lot of bad press, Kirks on a grape, um, he's wearing his influences on his sleeve. Uh, his Wawa, he sounded like Michael Schenker and some of the tracks were, uh, were early ufo. So for me, I think a solid seven and a half outta 10 from Metallica from me. Mad Good album. Hey,
Speaker 1 00:17:55 Good.
Speaker 2 00:17:57 Not an album of the year
Speaker 1 00:17:58 Bold statement, but, okay. Yeah. Uh, so similar to you, I, I think it's a na the natural kind of progression from, um, last couple of albums, Steph Magnetic and, uh, hardwired for Self-Destruct. Yeah. There are some great songs on there. I mean the, the, the kind of lead off songs, as you say, screaming suicide, Luxor Turner and if Douglas Had a Son Stand Out. But also the title track is amazing. Um, you know, really, really catchy riff. Great, great kind of album. Um, album intro as it were. Um, yeah, I liked it. I mean, it, it's, it's, it's the sound of Metallica. It is. And it's, and then it, and they, as you said, they've tried to deviate, they have deviate 70 years and they still will, I'm sure they'll do a kind of, you know, more mellow acoustic songs ala The Unforgiven and nothing Else Matters and so on.
Speaker 1 00:18:46 Um, but like Maiden and Judas Priest and, and play lot bands in this sort of heavy metal bracket that they, as you say, they've got a signature sound, they stick to it, the fans love it. This, this album in the uk, um, was number one in the album charts. And it, and it's sail outsold the, the other four in the top five collectively. Yeah. So, you know, clearly, you know, still got huge appeal and you, yeah. You get value for money, as you say, an hour and 17 minutes. Um, you can't go wrong. But yeah, I, um, yeah, it's not gonna be my album of the year, but, um, cuz I've already maybe got that either coming down the, the pipeline or in my back pocket already more to come on that.
Speaker 2 00:19:27 Mm-hmm. Exactly. Um,
Speaker 1 00:19:28 I, I enjoyed it. Yeah, it's a good album. And, and check it out, boys and Girls.
Speaker 2 00:19:31 Yeah. And the last track, uh, in a Murata, um, it's, it's <laugh>, it's, we're in progressive territory, it's 11 minutes long. When I was listening to that track, it had Shades of Sabbath, black Sabbath, and it was quite roughy, a slower pace to it. Um, yeah, it was, uh, I know there's a lot of people talking about how long the album is, but the, as a last track in a marras nice signature changes in its, you know, James is singing f fantastic well, but a real Sabbath feel to it that that slower rfi, which was great. So there you go. Metallica, 72 Seasons. Do we have a potential contender for either of the other two albums that we're gonna discuss, Matthew, and we'll go next to the answer and Sundowners.
Speaker 1 00:20:25 Yeah, so Sundowners from the Answer their first album since 2000 Sixteens Solos album. Um, and it's in a way similar, it's, it's, it's they're kind of moving away from their sort of traditional early sound of, if you like, classic rock. And this is a bit more of kind of a thoughtful album. Her song Sundown reminded me a bit of Robert Plant actually, um, is kind of solo stuff and it goes into more sort of traditional songs, uh, blood Brother and Oh, cherry and, um, want you to Want Me, want You to Love Me. My favorite song on the album is Living on the Line. Um, but yeah, it's, it's well worth a listen. Um, and they're from your part of the world, of course, the a answer from Northern
Speaker 2 00:21:08 Ireland, they are indeed.
Speaker 1 00:21:11 Do you know them?
Speaker 2 00:21:12 <laugh>? Not, not personally <laugh>. They don't live around the street? No, no, no. Uh, yeah, from, uh, ARDS and Newcastle in County Dying.
Speaker 1 00:21:24 Okay. Uh, so I enjoyed it. It's a good album and it's, uh, it's, it's a Worthy Comeback album. They've stuck to their sort of, um, they've stuck to their roots as it were, but they've also, they've got quite a contemporary sound, the guitar. And again, going back to your, your, uh, ability as a guitar player, you would recognize their kind of, the way the, the, you know, the amplification they've used and the, and the, and the guitar style is quite, uh, contemporary. Remind me a little bit of the rival sounds a little bit of raw royal blood stylistically, but, um, yeah, I enjoyed it. I enjoyed it and I, I, I played it a few times and I'll carry on playing it. Um, and we'll see 'em a few times in the summer. They played a few festivals in the UK and probably elsewhere. So if you get a chance to see the answer, then check them out.
Speaker 2 00:22:08 This is my first serious contender for Album of the Year. Is it? I loved Sundowners Matt. Wow. Um, the open and track, as you say, um, you know, sundowners itself, it had that sort of trippy, um, Robert Plant vibe with, it was Very Lips and sh Shamanic in some ways. You know, that drone that you, that you can get, you know, kind of bit Dorsey. Um, and then you move into the other tracks on the, on the album, as you say, like Blood, uh, like Blood Brothers my favorite track on it, on the album's Ca, California Rust. I love it. Yeah. And you nailed it. For me, this album is, it's kind of a mixture of Jack White with the White Stripes and the Rival Sons being fronted by Robert Plant. Carmack's vocal on this album is, is just fantastic. It's, you know, we're not in the Miles Kennedy, um, you know, vocal range, but Cormack is nailing it.
Speaker 2 00:23:17 It it's fantastic. And you go through the album and even the last track on the album, um, always. All Right. Which is a nice acoustic tune. Yeah. It just shows you the, the, the nice dynamics of the band. So, thanks. So it, it really is. And, and I, I listened to, I've listened to the album a few times now, um, and it just, uh, they've really delivered on this. It's been a, a feral break since Solace came out. And, you know, they've got their headline tour later on in the year and a few festivals. I think the answer are back. I love this album, Matt. Fabulous.
Speaker 1 00:23:53 Good. Mm-hmm.
Speaker 2 00:23:54 <affirmative>.
Speaker 1 00:23:55 Wow. Well, funny you should talk about a contender of Album of the year for you, but the Winery Dogs album three is certainly one of mine. What an album. This is <laugh>. Um, I, I Like You. I loved it. I absolutely loved it. It's great. It's, it's, you could, you could go to it. It's got 10 tracks in it. Um, you can go to track 10 or track eight or Track two, and the quality is so consistent throughout. Yeah. Um, and of course, fantastic players in, um, Richie Coxon, um, Billy Sheeran, and of course the Great Mike Portnoy. But, um, let's say good songs, um, relatively short songs. And, and each of the, each of the players, even though they are virtuosos on their instruments, they they're quite understated. Yeah. I felt, yeah. Um, good variety in terms of different sort of styles. A bit funky in places, Rocky and other places. Um, but yeah, I think it's my favorite Winery Dogs album by some distance. And as I say, certainly a contender for Album of the Year as far as I'm concerned. I thought it was great. Yeah. What do you think, Brian? I
Speaker 2 00:25:07 Completely agree. Um, they sometimes a band can kneel their sound, um, in the first album or two. And with this album, I think the Winery Dogs, they're now the trio and, and I think Lockdowns probably helped them a bit where they've been able to just spend a lot more time crafting the songs cuz it's a very song driven album. Yeah. Richie's vocal, um, I know he gets a lot of, um, comparisons to Chris Carnell and even Prince. You know, it is a very, very funky album. Um, and it's just fabulous. The songs and all three of them are Virtuosos. Richie's an amazing guitar player. Billy Sheen goes without saying, he's one of the most dextrous bass players out there in Portnoy can play anything, but it's all about the songs. So it's great Chorus <laugh> as Matt plays his drum imaginary drum kit with 51 Toms
Speaker 1 00:26:09 <laugh>.
Speaker 2 00:26:10 But it's, it's all about, it's all about the songs and it's the groove. And even, even on the first track, I love listening to the album, uh, on the, the first track and the album, which is, uh, which is Zou, which was the first single, even when you, you listen to the end of the song, you can hear Mike Portnoy drop the Sticks. Yeah. It's as if we've just got the other song, throw the Sticks Away. So it's got a real live feel for recording. So I I'm with you. It, it's a grower of an album, so it, it, who knows, it could be up there for me as an album of the year, um, for, um, for 2023, some notable releases, not albums as much that have, that have come out, which, um, uh, will be interesting to, um, uh, to our listeners. Joe Bonamassa has just released a, a new single with the band.
Speaker 2 00:27:02 There are like a funk covers band called, uh, scary Pockets. And they've, they've, uh, they've done a reworking of Back In Black, which is fantastic. Go if we, if it's on, if it's available, um, map to stream on our, on our, uh, playlist, put it on there. It's fantastic. It's a great, great sort of soul funky version of, um, uh, of ACD DC's, black and Black, the the singer on it. Joanne Jones does a great job. And the keyboard player in Scary Pockets is called Jack Conte, and he's actually the CEO of Patreon, where people really, yeah. So, uh, it's a great version. Joe Joe's very understated and he's, and he's brilliant. And the final, um, single which has come out over the last couple of weeks, which is from Joel Hawk's 13 and a little bit of a connection from last, last Time's show is Jules, uh, released his, uh, single, which is called Far Too Deep. And the band on the album star Studded band on the single is obviously Jewel, uh, playing guitars. Jeff Scott Soto is on backing vocals. And the drumming and the rhythm section are Tony Franklin, who's on bass and Vinni, ay from the DIO band, are all in Jules's Band. And the lead singer is Garish
Speaker 1 00:28:31 Rob Garish in the Chronicles as discussed last time.
Speaker 2 00:28:34 Absolutely. And Garish has signed in absolutely fantastic. And Jeff Scott, so was doing all the backing vocals. So the album's out later this year. I think it may be coming out in June, but go and check out Far Too Deep, which is Joel Hawk's, um, first single Office up and coming album. And that's me. Wow. For a new rock in the block.
Speaker 1 00:28:51 So Brian, that brings us to the A to Zed of rock.
Speaker 2 00:28:56 Yep.
Speaker 1 00:28:58 And the letter C. Yes, yes indeed. So, um, we, where else could we start apart from the great man? So David of Coverdale, also known as David Covenants, of course <laugh>. But those who have been listened to this podcast for a while. You know why every Coverdale, I mean, what a guy discovered, discovered in a clothes shop in Red car, was it Red Car? I never even know how to pronounce that place in, uh, the northeast of England. Um, he was working there, um, and then ended up being Deep purple singer, then White Snake Singer covered El Page. I mean, just a what? A what a what a legacy, what a singer. What is, uh, his peak? One of the greatest singers ever, I think in the rock genre. I you'd agree with that, Brian.
Speaker 2 00:29:56 I would completely agree. Uh, he ooze Ian Pierce a paint, A pint of Bear, cuz it was absolutely, it was pacey that, um, dug through the cassettes and liked the tone of David's voice Mm. And gave it to Richie and said, I think this is a contender and the rest is history.
Speaker 1 00:30:15 I
Speaker 2 00:30:16 Know. You could only start with David.
Speaker 1 00:30:19 That's right. And a very funny guy as well. He's, he's quite active on social media. A bit rude at times, but you know, funny as well, and as you, as you've said several times, he does like an unboxing. That does seem to be a thing though, isn't it? <laugh>? Oh look, boys It guys, it's the new cd. Young Unbox. Yes. And, uh, off he goes. Um,
Speaker 2 00:30:39 And I go and buy it. Matthew <laugh>. Absolutely
Speaker 1 00:30:42 <laugh>. But yeah, I was lucky enough to see, uh, we snake back in, uh, 81, 1 of my early gigs when I was what, 15, 16. And I mean a an amazing front man, Uhhuh <affirmative>, um, you know, had a, had that sort of aura about, about him and, uh, as an amazing, amazing singer. And, um, of course was on a couple of sea sea related albums in, um, come Taste The Band and come and Get it. Yeah.
Speaker 2 00:31:10 Ab
Speaker 1 00:31:10 Two good albums. We'll put some songs for both those on Any
Speaker 2 00:31:13 Excuse Matthew <laugh>.
Speaker 1 00:31:15 I know this podcast used to be the playlist is Dominated always by White Snake and, uh, deep purple and put some covered our page on as well.
Speaker 2 00:31:23 Another sea that is synonymous with David Hmm. Is Sir Vivine of Campbell,
Speaker 1 00:31:30 Of course
Speaker 2 00:31:31 The guitar song. We
Speaker 1 00:31:32 Forget Indeed the great man himself. Have we ever mentioned Vivian Campbell?
Speaker 2 00:31:39 I was just gonna say, I think Viv Vivian's up there with probably b he is probably the most mentioned person on our podcast, apart from Dyna Diamond Head in King's X, who, who are entities. But in terms of the person, I would say it's, it's it's a close run thing between Vivian, Tony Ami and Brian Tatler <laugh>.
Speaker 1 00:32:02 That's true actually. <laugh>, yeah. If anyone ever listens to every se episode and does be stats, they'll probably sh Exactly. Show that. Yeah.
Speaker 2 00:32:10 Yeah.
Speaker 1 00:32:11 But yeah, not to be underrated, uh, was was, I remember him when he was in Sweet Savage, one of those wo bands that came out of Northern Ireland. He was plucked Yeah. From, from there by Ronnie Dio to be the guitarist in dio. I think he was about 19 at the time. He
Speaker 2 00:32:25 Was, yeah. He
Speaker 1 00:32:26 Was in dio. Yeah. Um, and then, uh, from there, where'd you go from there, Brian? You know.
Speaker 2 00:32:32 Yeah. And, and Jimmy Bain will come, will talk about Jimmy Bain later on the show about another young hotshot guitarist. But yes, uh, Jimmy Bean was the one who put him in the line of sight for Ronnie, and he gave him two guitarist names. He gave him John Sykes, who was in Tigers of Pantang, and he gave him, uh, Vivian. And, uh, yes, after the deal band Vivian, he went touring with White Snake, um, on the massively successful 1987 album and the tour for two years. Mm-hmm. <affirmative>, he ended up working with The RiverDogs, which is a fantastic band that, that I love. And we've mentioned them as a, a hidden gem. He's done various solo work. Um, and then he ended up in the home that he, after the sad passing of Steve, Steve Clark, another Sea. Yeah. Um, and he's been the new guy in Def Lepper for 30 years.
Speaker 1 00:33:29 <laugh>. That's right. And of course, uh, but his own project lasts in line as well. Yes. In the background. That's true. So, um, we talked about last time, so yeah. Amazing s Vivian Campbell
Speaker 2 00:33:39 Exactly.
Speaker 1 00:33:39 Alongside, so David Coverdale. Um, that's great. That's great talking of, um, talking of other singers, um, Chris Cornell, of course, the late Chris Cornell. Yes. Um, I think we should give him mention because again, one of the most amazing voices and one of the most amazing he had Oh, Chris Cordell. Yeah. Uh, very, very, you know, gorgeous man, fantastic singer. Could play guitar, wrote songs, um, and, uh, as I say, sadly no longer with us, but, uh, I mean, what, what another, what another guy, what a legacy left with, uh, sound Garden and, uh, audio slave and just, uh, incredible.
Speaker 2 00:34:19 There probably was a time Matt in the mid nineties on the release of Super Unknown, and at the time when the single Black Hole Sun was out, I think Sun Garden were probably the biggest band in the world.
Speaker 1 00:34:36 Yeah. Certainly up there.
Speaker 2 00:34:37 They were up there in terms of the MTV video. They, they were, they were probably one of the shining lights of, of New Rock in the mid, mid nineties. Good news for those fans of Sun Garden and Chris Cannell. Uh, hopefully quite soon we should ha we should be able to hear some of the material that Chris had been recording with the, the guys in Sun Garden. Um, it'd be nice to hear some new material from Chris and see what he was doing with the guys. But you couldn't do the Seas without, uh, mentioning the fabulous artist. That is Chris Cornell. So the, so Matt, it's, it's not all about albums and people in the this is, this is, this is, this is our eight de Z of Rock. This is our Yes. You know, this is what we would put in and I have to put in for all of the drummers that are out there. A Cobell.
Speaker 1 00:35:31 Yes.
Speaker 2 00:35:32 How many great rock and roll songs have got a cobell in it. We have to mention Don't Fear The Reaper.
Speaker 1 00:35:41 Of course. That's probably the number one cowbell song of all times, isn't it?
Speaker 2 00:35:45 Well, you say that and I would, I probably agree with you, however, once just come into my mind, and when I tell you which one it is, you're gonna go Bake Contender, honky Tok Woman by the Rolling Stones. Charlie was
Speaker 1 00:36:03 Actually, yeah.
Speaker 2 00:36:05 Um, also Missy Sippy Queen from Mountain was a great cowbell tune. Oh my goodness. Moby Dick. Uh, e even the Scary Good Times, bad Times from Len Zeppelin's opening track on the debut album. Oh yeah.
Speaker 1 00:36:20 Has little kind of para on there.
Speaker 2 00:36:22 Yeah. What John Bonham is doing, I've no idea. Rock of Ages by Def Lebers Cobell, the Cobel as Stipple accessory in any rock drummer's arsenal of percussive equipment. <laugh>,
Speaker 1 00:36:43 I couldn't agree more. Fantastic.
Speaker 2 00:36:45 Coming from a guitarist <laugh>.
Speaker 1 00:36:47 Yeah, I think you covered it. I mean, it's just, it's it's a strange one, isn't it? Because everyone loves the cowbell Yes. In rock songs. And of course, you know, you can buy the t-shirt from the Saturday Night Live sketch Oh, is Will Ferrell, which is parroting the recording of Don't Fear the Reaper, which is cause it's all about more cowbell Yes.
Speaker 2 00:37:08 With Christopher Walken walking
Speaker 1 00:37:10 <laugh>. Exactly. If you go to a festival, I guarantee you'll see several more cowbell T-shirts. Yeah. Um, bear Great Shower. Yeah, that's a great talking to t-shirts. Of course, one of the things that, uh, we've often talked about in the context of rock and metal is clothes.
Speaker 2 00:37:25 Yes. The uniform.
Speaker 1 00:37:27 The uniform. Exactly. Now the uniform, as I think we've, we've said many times is, is largely kind of dominated by denim and leather and has been since the late seventies. And, uh, of course, you know, you can point to various bands who sort of developed that, uh, that look Motorhead. Of course, when I was young, I've met so many times. I, you know, I've kind of modeled myself on lemi, long hair, leather jacket, jeans, bullet belt. Um, didn't have the white cowboy boots, fortunately <laugh>. And then, because def that's
Speaker 2 00:37:59 Good. That's good. <laugh>. That's
Speaker 1 00:38:00 True. I maiden. And, uh, Judis priest kind of took the, took the image further and so on. But you know, the importance of clothing on stage. Of course. Yes. And, and I always struck as being a bit odd that, so you, you know, you had the, the, the, the fans wearing kind of denim, leather and jeans and t-shirts, all that sort of stuff. But the bands certainly in the, in the early eighties weren't spandex. How was all they're about?
Speaker 2 00:38:25 Are you, are you featuring Pete Wayne? I, um, Pete Way Steve Harris.
Speaker 1 00:38:30 Exactly. Twisted Sister <laugh>. Well, you know, whoever it was, Biff or, um, you know, Bruce Dickinson and so on. <laugh>, I mean spandex. I think that's one of the, the, probably the crimes against fashion in the rock world is, is why Spandex, which essentially is kind of like a workout. It's like wearing yoga pants on stage. Yeah. Um, sort of workout. I never really understood it, but, um, I mean, you know, I don't see, I don't think, you see, fortunately you don't see so much spandex anymore, but, um, well even now when we go to festivals, I think, you know, we, we all still wear the uniform. We mentioned the battle jacket last time, the black t-shirt with the band name on it. Oh. Obviously tour dates on the back. I must have told you the, the story once my wife and I were a, a festival.
Speaker 1 00:39:15 Um, and, uh, she looked, there was a person in front of us and, uh, they, they're wearing a a t-shirt, which she had a festival lineup up on it cause you got the three days and, and so on. She said, oh, she was looking down. She's not nudging me and said, that looked like a good festival, didn't it? And I said, yeah, we were there <laugh>, and it was the previous Years's, I don't know, rambling man or something like that. Um, she, she'll hate me for saying that, telling that, but, um, there you go. It's done now, <laugh>, but yes, it is the clothes, very porn top to toe, you know. Yeah. Whether it be the baseball boots or the, the jeans or the, you know, the, the leather tr you used to have a pair of leather trousers. Of course you told us last time. Yeah. Um, you know, all goes into the package, so to speak, of, of the rock and metal uniform.
Speaker 2 00:40:00 Absolutely. Oh my goodness. I, I have to say thank goodness for bands like Metallica, um, in the ear in the early eighties, Matt, for getting us to wear white baseball boots rather than the white Cobo white, white Cobo boots. You know, I, that was just not a, that was a look just for Lemi. Lemy was the only one that could get away with white Cobo boots, nobody else.
Speaker 1 00:40:26 Yeah, it's true.
Speaker 2 00:40:27 Yeah, it's true. But then even the Cobo boots themselves, Matt, it, it seemed to be how
Speaker 1 00:40:32 Bell boots
Speaker 2 00:40:33 Co no co boy boots. Um, the, uh, it seemed to be us, us and the uk. We wore our Cobo boots inside our jeans inside.
Speaker 1 00:40:46 Oh yeah.
Speaker 2 00:40:46 But, but then as we moved through the eighties, as we were, as we were refining our uniforms, think about those spandex wearing American glam metal boys, and they were wearing their cowboy bats over their jeans and their spandex. It was, it was, it was
Speaker 1 00:41:06 Shocking.
Speaker 2 00:41:06 It was, it just, it was, again, thank goodness we didn't live in America at that time, Matt. Or we would've been wearing spandex cowboy boots over.
Speaker 1 00:41:15 I can, I can just picture you in spandex and cowboy boots outside your <laugh> spandex, Travis Bry
Speaker 2 00:41:20 With my meatloaf jacket.
Speaker 1 00:41:22 <laugh>. Exactly. Meatloaf. Dead of jacket. Look great. Thanks. Like a cowboy hat on top. Thanks. Or even a cowbell hat. Oh. Anyway, other notable mentions in the world of the Seas in the age head of rock, of course. Uh, creed, we talked about that a few times. Yep. Fantastic. Ban. Put some creed on the, uh, playlist C credence Clear water revival punted by the great John Fogarty, of course, touched upon them a few times in the context of, of, of suing themselves, plagiarism, <laugh>,
Speaker 2 00:41:56 The wonderful Eric Clapton,
Speaker 1 00:41:59 Of course,
Speaker 2 00:42:01 One third of the, one third of the Holy Trinity of the Yardbirds. Eric, Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page.
Speaker 1 00:42:08 That's right. And of course, one third of cream, another C um, yeah, we'll put some, just another excuse to put Eric clap in Yardbirds Cream, um, you name it on the, uh, on the playlist, of course, Alice Cooper, we can't forget Alice Cooper, uh, straightly speaking, not his real name. Um, maybe should be under F oh 30, of course. There you go. Bit of, but we'll put some Alice Cooper on. Yeah. Good old Alice Uncle Alice. Bless
Speaker 2 00:42:36 Him. Yeah, absolutely. And and Alice as well too. Um, uh, disc jockey are we like, call him disc jockeys or presenters
Speaker 1 00:42:43 I think, I dunno.
Speaker 2 00:42:45 He's presenter on, on Planet Rock.
Speaker 1 00:42:47 Yeah. It was all over the world. And he got syndicated radio show nights with Alice Cooper. Of course, well worth the, listen,
Speaker 2 00:42:53 Andy used to have a, I think a feature on the classic Rock magazine as well.
Speaker 1 00:42:59 Yes, indeed. Classic Rock Magazine, which has been going, I think, well that's started buying it in 2001. I think it's been going since 1999. Okay. 20, nearly 25 years. Unbelievable. Yes. So many C's to get through. We haven't mentioned the Cadillac three, the cult, um, copperhead Road album by Steve Wor, Steve Earl, and so on. So Brian, next time it'll be d mm-hmm. <affirmative> letter D in the eight to Z of Rock. Then we're gonna have fun with that one. Oh
Speaker 2 00:43:26 God. Uh, yes. I wonder, I wonder if a well known Noum band will be Yeah. <laugh>.
Speaker 1 00:43:36 Possibly, possibly.
Speaker 2 00:43:38 I'll get, I'll get you back when we get the key.
Speaker 1 00:43:40 That's right. Or re even, we might after to we had math user bricks. Of course.
Speaker 2 00:43:45 That's true. <laugh>. So math. Uh, another new feature that we've added in, in our 2023 shows is Unsung Hero. And the unsung hero I am putting forward nominating, um, for this episode is a phenomenal guitarist called Lawrence Archer. So Lawrence, um, Lawrence is one of those guitar players who, um, is probably well known for, uh, working with U F O. Um, he's, he's, he's currently the man's songwriter and guitar player in Grand Slam. Uh, and obviously Grand Slam. He wrote many of the, um, the songs together with Phil Leonard and Mark Stanway. And he started his career working with Stampedes. And we mentioned this next, uh, or earlier in the show, we mentioned Jimmy Bean, and he also was a member of Wild Horses for a while. So I just wanted to call out, um, uh, Lawrence as, as one of those great unsung heroes and somebody who's had to follow in the footsteps of Michael Schenker, Paul Chapman in, in U F O.
Speaker 2 00:45:02 Yeah. Obviously with the demise of, uh, thin Lizzie, when Phil put his solo band together and then started to put Grand Slam together, it really was a vehicle for, for Lawrence as well too. And a lot of the writing Grand Slammer back on the roads, we, I think we talked about in earlier episodes, the, the album that they released, um, not so long ago, uh, which was Hit the Ground, which was a great album. A lot of the material that was on that was from the Grand Slam era, um, where he'd written with Phil. But one of the things I just wanted to call out, and I read it on social media as well too, um, is Lawrence is one of those artists who has written lots of material and, and over the years, al albeit he, he's had to register a lot of his catalog and re-register it and go to court to, um, to, to get money and to actually own the rights to his own material.
Speaker 2 00:46:00 And, uh, he, he put a, he put an impassioned statement out on Facebook not so long ago, just talking through probably the, the pitfalls of being a young man in the record business. And, you know, we'll probably talk about it when we talk about Hidden Gems, where get a lawyer <laugh> and get a second lawyer. And if you're not happy, get a third lawyer. I, I just thought it, it just hit a chord with me for somebody as talent as Lawrence has and some of the songs that he's written and, and it typifies, um, the song Dedication. I can remember when the Thin Lizzie, uh, compilation album that came out in the, in the early nineties, and it, and it was this forgotten tune, this lost tune with, with Phil singing on it. And they, they packaged together a video with various members of Thin Lizzie, and I'm not sure who played on it.
Speaker 2 00:46:57 I think Brian Donie played drums on it. And, and it was credited, I think, as a full in song, and it was actually written by Lawrence. Um, so for me, um, I'm a big fan of Lawrence. I'm a big fan of Grand Slam. I think I like the classy way that he does his, his business. Um, looking forward to their new album of new material. And I just think, just want to call out Lawrence great guitar player, still works well, works hard, and a very good songwriter. So my unsung hero for this episode, Matt, is Lawrence Archer, anything you wanna add on Lawrence?
Speaker 1 00:47:32 Not really. I think you covered it beautifully, uh, as you said, great, great guitars. Been with lots of bands over the years and, um, I, I saw him last year with Grand Slam and yeah, great front man, good guitarist, and as you say, great song. So, um, we wish him well in the future, of course. So Bright, that brings us two
Speaker 3 00:47:50 Hidden gem.
Speaker 1 00:47:53 Thanks Lola, as always. Sounded good. So, um, I've got an excellent one for you actually. Oh. If you'd like me to go first. Yeah, absolutely. I'm happy to. So surprisingly, this is a hidden gem from AC dc so I remember when this came out and, um, I, I've, I've, I revisited it this week and it's a, it's an album from 2009 called Backtracks Now. Um, it's essentially a kind of a compilation of, um, of BSides and, and, and, um, rarities and um, and songs that let's say didn't fit on the original albums. For example, it's got, uh, dog eat dog from, uh, the, uh, the live album from 1978 if you want. Bludge. Got it. It's got, um, a 12 inch version of who Made, who, it's got early Bon Scott stuff, original Australian release of the Rocker and, and, um, plenty of live stuff, um, from the Brian Johnson era and so on. And, um, it's great. It's, it's a lot of it you won't have heard before, um, unless you're an absolute ac dc completist, but, um, where we're checking out, um, and, uh, runs, uh, nearly four hours. So I'll keep you, keep you busy for a while. Sounds like one of our playlists. <laugh>. Um, so my hidden and gem for this show, young Brian is backtracks by the mighty ac dc from 2009. Do you remember that? Do you remember when it came out?
Speaker 2 00:49:27 I've got it. I have it. Of course
Speaker 1 00:49:29 You have <laugh>. Of course you have.
Speaker 2 00:49:33 I
Speaker 1 00:49:33 Do. Was Trio kind of an an amp shaped box? Yeah, that's right. I
Speaker 2 00:49:37 Treated myself to it many, many years ago. Um, my hidden gem for this episode is it's a documentary mm-hmm. <affirmative>, uh, which is, it's just been released, um, it's not free on streaming just yet, but it was released over the weekend. Um, and it is a documentary about John wait, and it's called John Wait The Hard Way. Um, I'm a massive John wait fan, um, obviously through the, you know, missing you being his big single and, and the work that he did with, um, bad English. But this is a really, I suppose, intimate documentary about John and his life. Um, you know, it's, he started out, you know, he's a, he's a Lancaster boy, uh, and, and he started out with, with the band called The Babies. And if I could just summarize the Baby's career for John Waits six albums, five tours, and he had six grand in the bank.
Speaker 2 00:50:39 <laugh>. That's, that's, that's, that's the amount of, and it's the documentary itself. It's just how John, he just reflects in his whole career. He actually, um, comes across as a very, very, um, sincere, um, writer, quite a personal interviews and, and it was all done during Covid, Matt, where John's desperate to get out to play, you know, with his band. And he was really just at home in probably quite a reflective mood whilst he was just talking about his career. Um, and it's again, a little bit in, in line with what we were discussing around Lauren Scher. You know, there, there's, John's had to work really, really hard and fight really hard to get back the rights, um, for a lot of his own material because he wasn't making any money out of it. But he's a content man now. He plays when he wants, he writes new material.
Speaker 2 00:51:38 Um, and I, I just, it's a, it's 90 minutes, so it's quite a short, uh, documentary. If you don't know anything about John, watch it. He is his own man, <laugh>, a lot of people, uh, found him hard to work with and said he, he wasn't somebody who, who could really play in bands, but I warmed to him, um, uh, one slight, if I was to pick out one slight admission in the, in the documentary, they, they really skirted over the bad English period. So we didn't really, we didn't really get to, to discuss how they got together. Um, you know, cuz Ricky Phillips, um, and John Cain had both, both of them had been in the babies with John. So we skirted completely over that. And I was kind of interested to see how him and Neil Sean had worked. Um, you know, that was where they, you know, they had a billboard number one single with when I See You Smile. But overall, apart from that omission, um, in, in his career, it was a really interesting, um, documentary on John. Wait, so my hidden gem for this episode is just released on Amazon Prime. It's John, wait, it's the hard way.
Speaker 1 00:52:52 Good. Yeah, check it out. Sounds good. Good. Amazing. Seeing a great voice. Oh yeah. Looking forward to that. So it, Brian, another episode done Dusted sign, sealed in the Bag. Complete. Enjoy that.
Speaker 2 00:53:07 I did indeed. It was great. Looking forward to next episode. We'll talk about the letter D, which would be fantastic. Yes,
Speaker 1 00:53:14 Absolutely. But for now, thanks for listening. Everyone. Check us out on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, email, send us a letter or if you see us in the street, come and hello. We haven't got many friends, so you know, the more the merrier <laugh>, take care of yourselves and take care of each other. Bye for now.
Speaker 2 00:53:35 Bye for now everyone. See ya.
Speaker 1 00:53:42 Salute You is a mainly Rogers production.
