Here's Johnny!!!! Our latest theme episode features songs about one of the most rock'n'roll names ever. But you wouldn't call "Johnny Angel" by Shelly Fabares rock, though it'll grow on you, unless you're a total yutz ... Song 2 is "Johnny B. Goode," a version of Chuck Berry's immortal rockin' classic performed by Cumberland, Rhode Island combo The Mards ("mods" with a Northeastern US accent)!. Michigan folk-punkers channel The Byrds on their rendition of the American Civil War chanty "When Johnny Comes Marching Home." Topical. San Francisco weirdos The Mystery Trend introduce us to a very unsettling All-American boy in "Johnny Was A Good Boy." And finally, Johnny-Come-Latelys Fine Young Cannibals tell another sad tale in the percolatin, leg-shakin' "Johnny Come Home." John, I'm only (pod)casting!!!

Look, there's no time for a long descripto, there's a tiger in them thar hills! This week's tune is "Hey Tiger," originally done by the rather capable jazzbos-turned-garagers The Topsy Turbys. Hear their wild story and sounds here! Then stay tuned for a boffo 80s revival version by podcast saints The Tell- Tale Hearts. Finally, we set the tiger trap for a third version by contempos The Wyld Gooms! Put a tiger in your tank!

The night is young, the mood is mellow, and there's music in our ears ... namely, the 1980 postpunk gem "Is Vic There" by Department S. We discuss the enigmatic lyrics and the surrounding lore of this everdark tune. There's also a version by Trolleybox, a surprising appearance of Clan of Xymox on this (or any!) garage rock podcast, and a totally groovy R&B rendition by Curtis Baker and the Bravehearts. Ow-ow-ow-ow-ow-awoo!

Back to the garage this week for a five-pack of versions of "I Ain't No Miracle Worker." The Annette Tucker/Nancy Mantz penned tune (they wrote "I Had Too Much Too Dream Last Night) was originally waxed by The Brogues in 1965. The Everyman, gruff vocals will put hair on your chest and the precise playing will make you think these guys can move mountains. An even more macho take comes from Canada's Great Scots, and we can attest to Canadian masculinity, can't we?The singer of this one might have turned into The Hulk (TM) later ... Podcast faves The Chocolate Watchband slow the tempo down and had some exotic touches - is that a balalaika? Dave Aguilar's vocal performance is more pained and we like the nuances. In the early 80s, British retronauts The Barracudas did the tune & it's jangly, power-poppy, and even a little post-punk in the vocals. Nice one, that. Finally, fast forward to 2023 for a postmilennial version by The KVB that draws out the no-hope message of the song and our times! Just take them for what they are!!!

We must have had too much too dream lately because we're leaving the 60s behind and starting in 1979 with Suicide's beautiful trance-drone, "Dream Baby Dream." It's a fingersnappin' rock n roll lullaby with electronics! Next up, Angel Corpus Christi's version wows us with the accordion! Bruce Springsteen swerves instrumentally and has the hypno-drone come from an old-timey pump organ.  His version provoked some visceral reaction and we get into that ... More recently, Black Tambourine's rendition features a down and dirty bass tone, and Neneh Cherry & The Thing give the tune some 'tude plus some jazz skronk. Which one's the dreamiest?

Here's a song that's been on the fabled Masterlist for years ... "Rumors, Gossip, Words Untrue", originally by The Knickerbockers. It's got a good riff, harmonies, chord changes, and a faux-sitar sound that will win you over, and it's from 1965!! The version that sparked the episode is by The Swinging Blue Jeans. Why are they wearing suits, if they're forever in blue jeans? Erik thinks there's more air in this one. It's a great example of Djling music. The third number is a teenybopper bubblegum version by Lella, an Italian ingenue who we know little about. The final tune is "Geoffrey Ingram" by The Television Personalities - we think they knicked the riff, and thank the lord they did! Ba-dum!!

He might not have made it into your history textbook, but Brad Berwick has recently emerged as one of the most controversial figures of the 1960s. While he may seem less impactful than LBJ or George Wallace, the fact that he sang a little ditty called "I'm Better Than The Beatles" has resulted in Youtube comment sections lambasting the former child actor. Listen to us listen to the song and talk about it - is it so bad to be Brad?

What a riff! What great rock 'n' roll asides! What joy in the chorus!! It's "Sweet Jane" by The Velvet Underground! A cavalcade of covers by Brownsville Station, Lou Reed (solo from '74), Eater, Friends Again, and of course, Cowboy Junkies. This is one of the episodes where we crack the code and tell you what the lyrics mean so listen and find out! Smoother than a Stutz Bearcat ride!!

It's time for a beautiful song this week... namely,  "I Only Have Eyes For You" by Harry Warren (composer) and Al Dubin (lyrics). We start with the original by Dick Powell in 1934 and listen to us tell you about the 1930s style of crooning! But we're back on familiar ground with the most famous version by Doo-Woppers The Flamingos, from 1959! The most beautiful nocturnal song of all time (take that My Bloody Valentine!) We also feature versions by Art Garfunkel (70s), Zapp & Roger (80s), and Mercury Rev (90s) - does this ditty ever get updated every decade! Doo-bop sh-bop!

Our word on the Bird this week - "Surfin' Bird," that is! We have to start with two songs by The Rivingtons: "Papa Oom-Mow-Mow" & "The Bird's The Word," which laid the foundation for future ornithological madness. After seeing The Sorenson Brothers (formerly The Revels) perform a mash-up of the two songs, The Trashmen added the tune to their repertoire and the rest is history! We also have a sighting of The Cramps and their version in this episode. This episode is not a lame duck!