We kept the tape rolling after the recent episode we did with John & Bobby from The Gruesomes and we said more stuff about John's favourite song ever - "Say It" by the Five Royales. Along the way, we solve the problems of modern music.

We know Pastronauts love it when  John & Bobby of The Gruesomes visit our podcast, but this one's extra exciting because it's two episodes in one! John has picked two of his favourite songs by the unsung Five Royales ("Think" and "Dedicated to the One I Love"), and then the four of us talk about 2 cover versions. This means versions by James Brown (who did "Think" twice!), The Shirelles, and The Mamas and Papas.  Top notch analysis from two esteemed scholars of Garage Studies, plus those no-goodniks Erik & Weldon!

We enjoyed the eggnog so much last week that we decided to gift Pastronauts two more Holiday songs, and the talk that goes with it. 'Tis the season!!!

Forget about all those uncool Xmas tunes you hear in the malls - we've got the good stuff for this Holiday season! The first present for you is "Mr. Scrooge" by England's GREATEST 60S girl group, The Orchids (2:16). If Georgina Oliver isn't in your 60s British Music Icons Advent Calendar - then one listen to this, and she will be! Great backing from Pamela Jarman & Valerie Jones. John Lennon gets coal in his stocking for puttin' 'em down on TV in '63. The next carol is by the legendary Sonics! They "Don't Believe In Christmas", maybe because John Lennon was The Grinch (32:13). A pinch from Chuck Berry, but who cares!!  Man, Christmas sounds rough on the mean streets of Tacoma, Washington! Back to The Beatles - remember who's better than them? The Monkees, who do an ace version of Macca's "Wonderful Christmastime" (1:06:39). This one is sweet as a candy cane. Another legend comes down the chimney for Song 4 - Bob Dylan klezmers it up with his interdenominational "Must Be Santa" (1:53:59). Xmas is a great excuse to get drunk for a month - so enjoy it! Gather round the brazier and Ho Ho Ho!!!

Erik & Weldon discuss band names they hate. Will YOUR favourite band be included? - Listen and find out!!!

Let's not Beat(les) around the bush here - the Garage Studies world has been waiting for Weldon & Erik to weigh in on the new Fab 4 tune, "Now and Then." We play it, talk about it, and also throw in some other AI versions of said tune. Along the way, there's questions from Erik and answers by Weldon, textbook slams, and a whole lot of goofiness and crucial digressions. What do the lads think? Is the song good, great, gear, or ghastly?  More importantly, is it better than "Mr. Moonlight"?!?! Oh sweet darlin'!

Theme episode time! This one's a simian sensation, so we start off with Chuck Berry's 1957 baboon tune, "Too Much Monkey Business" (2:32:31). Is it anti-monkey, or anti-business? It may not really be about monkeys. but it's rock n roll poetry! The next in the evolutionary order is "Mickey's Monkey", sung by Smokey of Motown's The Miracles (59:37). A dance craze song, this one has a great hook, boozy organ, bongos, and the tasteful licks of one of our fave axemen, Marv Tarplin. Movin' thru the zoo, we arrive at "Gator Tails and Monkey Ribs" by The Spats (1:27:20). A textbook stoopid frat rock rumbler that could have fit on our classic "Food and Drink" themer from May, 2021. If that last one didn't fill you up, then we end with the final primate mover, "Monkey Man" by Baby Huey & The Babysitters (1:54:53). This one's so good, it defies words. So let's just make monkey noises - Lum De Lum De Li!!

Wouldn't you love it if we published every day? Well, we can't do that, but here's Buddy Holly's magical 1957 b-side "Everyday" as compensation (3:35). A concerto for hambone, celesta, and hiccupping hillbilly vocals! A gentle, innocent, and hopeful rock'n'roll hay ride ... it's special! In 1964, surf duo The Rogues had a date with the song in the studio and it's a real rollycoaster ride! (1:09:54). Is this first bubblegum song ever? It has yakety sax and a "Louie Louie" reference, which means it's great.  In 1972, the song really grew up and hit puberty with Bridget St. John's version (1:24:24). Jaunty, breathy, with great guitar licks courtesy of Tim Renwick as well as a great outro.   The last on the calendar is The Raveonette's take from 2005 (2:00:27). An icy Nordic feel joined with BH's American optimism and shades of Suicide and The Jesus and Mary Chain. A hey, a hey, hey!!

Live! From Room 711 of the Georgian Court Hotel in Vancouver, BC - it's Erik & Weldon broadcasting in the same spot for the first time in In The Past history!! We say hello to Ike & Tina Turner's 1965 tune, "Goodbye, So Long" and then gab about it behind its back. Up second is a Raiders-y version  by one of the many bands named The Uniques. It's a real cut up kinda cut! Third is a reprise by Ike & Tina from 1970 - does this version show development and maturity? Yes, by the bucketload! Tune in and hear the chums chat in person, plus there's a special spooky appearance by a new character who adds the necessary holiday spirit!! You'll be 'fatuated!!

This week the boys talk about the girls - it's doo wop time and we start with the fabulous Chantels and their 1957 debut, "He's Gone" (1:32). Picture perfect in every way, from Arlene Smith's powerful voice and glittering, subtle songwriting to the beautiful backing from Lois, Sonia, Jackie, and Renee. A real Teenage Symphony to God! In 1964, podcast favourite The Royalettes adopted the song and here's where the strings come in (Teddy Randazzo's, that is ...)  (1:00:45). Sheila Ross skips and jumps with the song's heartbroken lyrics - they knew the song well because it's what they sung when they competed (and won!) in talent contests. By 1980, the song's sorrow transformed into joyful nostalgia with Syreeta's stylin' version (1:32:24)- it reminds us of Deniece Williams, so we like it a lot. Finally, in 2010, Brooklyn's Vivian Girls brought the song back to the Boroughs where it was born (1:57:54). Because it 's the final quaver in this quartet, we go off on some crucial digressions, but this one is spectrally pretty and includes some nice atmospheric guitar ... Jammin on the one!!