Retrosonic Podcast

Steve from Retro Man Blog chats to Ruts DC guitarist Leigh Heggarty on the phenomenal reaction to the new Wingmen tour and critically acclaimed debut album. Wingmen is the superb new collaboration featuring Leigh on guitar, Baz Warne from The Stranglers on vocals and guitar, Paul Gray of The Damned on bass, Marty Love from Johnny Moped on drums and Rob Coombes from Supergrass on the keyboards and Leigh explains how this lockdown project took off and exceeded all expectations. Leigh also updates us on the latest Ruts DC news including upcoming tour dates and the forthcoming LP "ElectAcoustic Vol. 2". This episode includes a pick of tracks from Wingmen and Ruts DC's most recent releases. It's also soundtracked by The Dolphin pub's jukebox, sorry about that!

Check out Retro Man Blog at the link below for corresponding feature with full track-listing and links.

https://retroman65.blogspot.com/2023/02/retrosonic-podcast-with-leigh-heggarty.html

Retrosonic Podcast has a valid PRS licence. Podcover photos, top left: Terry Heggarty / bottom right: Retro Man Blog

Welcome to Episode 51 of Retrosonic Podcast where we welcome former drummer with The Chords Buddy Ascott into the 'studio' on New Year's Eve to look back on 2022. Buddy, now playing with The Fallen Leaves, is currently writing his memoirs and he treats us to a reading from a chapter about an unfortunate incident in Guildford Civic Hall in 1979 involving The Undertones, Jimmy Pursey and some ex-Sex Pistols. He also talks about more recent gig experiences which include drumming with The 79ers as special guests at The Vapors' weekend event at the iconic Portmeirion village, location of the cult TV show The Prisoner. Then we cover The Fallen Leaves shows at the Dublin Castle and their appearance at the Don Craine tribute at the Half Moon Putney, plus we get a sneak preview of a song from the Leaves' next album. We also take a look at some of Retro Man Blog's favourite LPs, Singles, Compilations and Gigs of the year and play a selection of great tracks from The Clash with Ranking Roger, Rhoda Dakar, The Limiñanas, The Prisoners and Michael Head & The Red Elastic Band. We also announce our Band of The Year - The Undertones - for some superb gigs, their compilation "Dig What You Need", Damian O'Neill and Billy Doherty joining Baby Shakes on stage for "Teenage Kicks" and related releases such as That Petrol Emotion's stunning box-set compilation and Damian's solo album "An Crann". Then there's a more sombre look at just some of the influential musicians who sadly passed away in 2022 including Chris Bailey, Wilko Johnson, Jet Black and Terry Hall but we celebrate their legacy with music from The Saints, Dr. Feelgood, The Specials and The Stranglers. Happy New Year to you and here's looking forward to more great music in 2023, we hope you enjoy the show! Please check the link below to Retro Man Blog for full tracklisting and links to all the featured Bands and Artists and how to buy their music. Retrosonic Podcast has a valid PRS Licence.

https://retroman65.blogspot.com/2023/01/retrosonic-podcast-epiosde-51-2022.html

Welcome to this milestone episode of Retrosonic Podcast - yes we've made it to 50 shows so thank you all for your support over the last ten years or so, it is very much appreciated. Of course thanks also to the great bands, artists and record labels who have been producing so such excellent new music that keeps us so busy! So, here's a little Xmas gift for you to celebrate 2022 with - 18 new releases which prove that despite all the hardships of the past year - nothing has stopped the creative force of these fantastic musicians. We've got superb new releases from Jim Jones All Stars, The Schizophonics, Graham Day, Wipeout, The Beatpack, The Playn Jayn, Wyld Gooms, The Courettes, The Embrooks, The Jack Cades, Ruts DC, Gina Birch, Mimi & The Miseries, AlterModerns, Hipbone Slim & The Kneejerkers, The Jackets, The Highmarts and Nervous Twitch. As always, if you like what you hear, please do check out the feature at Retro Man Blog here https://retroman65.blogspot.com/2022/12/retrosonic-podcast-episode-50-something.html for the full track-listing and links to discover more about the featured bands - so check out their info, go and see them play live and most importantly - buy their merchandise and records. Have great Xmas and New Year from Retrosonic Podcast and Retro Man Blog!

We captured a great evening's entertainment at Damian O'Neill's Q&A at the Heavenly Social on November 6th to promote his excellent new LP "An Crann" hosted by Brian O'Neill of Dimple Disc Records and music journalist Ann Scanlon. As well as the story behind the record and its influences, Damian also discussed various anecdotes from his time with The Undertones, That Petrol Emotion and The Everlasting Yeah. As well as tales of The Undertones on Top of The Pops, touring with The Clash and news of the forthcoming That Petrol Emotion box-set, we also find out how Damian nearly joined Dexys Midnight Runners and how he should have been a famous footballer! The episode is soundtracked by Damian's personal selection of songs from the new album. For photos from the event and links on how to buy the LP please check out the feature at Retro Man Blog at the following link: http://retroman65.blogspot.com/2022/11/new-retrosonic-podcast-live-q-with.html

In the latest episode of Retrosonic Podcast, Steve from Retro Man Blog and Buddy Ascott of The Fallen Leaves are on location at the excellent Eel Pie Island Museum in Twickenham in the company of museum curator Michele Whitby and music historian Pete Watt. We discuss the rich musical heritage of what has become known as the Thames Delta and the birthplace of 60's British Beat and R'n'B, focusing on the legendary Eel Pie Island Hotel and some of the famous acts who played there. From it's opening night in 1956 and the Trad Jazz of Acker Bilk, Chris Barber and George Melly to the last show in 1970, the Hotel hosted gigs by many hugely influential bands and artists. There were shows by the leading importers of American Blues and R'n'B such as Alexis Corner, Long John Baldry and John Mayall, the originators Howlin' Wolf and John Lee Hooker and of course, their young acolytes such as the Rolling Stones, The Artwoods and Downliners Sect. That's not to forget Soul acts like Jimmy Cliff and Geno Washington and even the later incarnation when the Hotel was transformed into Colonel Barefoot's Rock Garden and started putting on Heavy Rock and Psychedelic acts such as The Who, Pink Floyd, Deep Purple, Joe Cocker and Black Sabbath. One of the most fascinating aspects is discovering all the now legendary names who made early pre-fame and fortune appearances at the Eel Pie Hotel including David Bowie with The Manish Boys, Jeff Beck with The Tridents, Ian McLagan with The Muleskinners and Eel Pie audience regular, Rod 'The Mod' Stewart with Steampacket. Join us for this fascinating journey, not only around the Eel Pie Island Museum itself but on a magical trip through years of local music history. The episode is soundtracked by choice cuts from Downliners Sect, Rolling Stones, The Who, The Manish Boys, The Steampacket, Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames, The Artwoods, The Muleskinners and Geno Washington. For full track listing, photos from the museum, further info and links please check out the feature at Retro Man Blog at the link below:https://retroman65.blogspot.com/2022/09/retrosonic-podcast-eel-pie-island.html

In our latest interview special we catch up with Suzi Moon following her show at Bannerman's in Edinburgh and welcome her into the virtual Retrosonic Podcast studio for a thoroughly enjoyable jaunt through her career as a musician and life as a music fan. We talk about her love of the Rebellion Festival in Blackpool, where she was soon to appear, and her affinity with European and U.K audiences. Suzi then takes us on an entertaining journey from her upbringing in Southern California and the influence of her older sister on Suzi becoming a musician, inviting her to join her band Civet and encouraging her to write songs of her own. Then there's Turbulent Hearts and the short-lived project L.A. Machina before Suzi finally embarks on her own solo career with the release of the excellent and well-received E.P. "Call The Shots". Suzi picks her own favourites from all aspects of her career right up to the brand new single from the hotly anticipated debut album "Dumb & In Luv" which is available to pre-order from Pirates Press Records now. Among many and various topics we also discuss her songwriting process, the connection between her mum and Alternative Tentacles Records, the New York CBGB's scene and much more. Suzi also plays some of the records that introduced her to Punk Rock and helped shape her own music along with some inspirational bands and people that have supported her along the way. The episode is soundtracked by great tracks from The Hives, Elvis Costello & The Attractions, The Stooges, The Heartbreakers, Nazi Bitch & The Jews, Teenage Bottlerocket, Minatore and Against Me! For full track listing and links to featured bands and how to order the new Suzi Moon album "Dumb & In Luv" please check out Retro Man Blog at the link below:

https://retroman65.blogspot.com/2022/08/retrosonic-podcast-special-with-suzi.html

Steve from Retro Man Blog picks out 21 of the best new Garage Rock, Psych, Indie, Power Pop and Punk releases from as far apart as the U.K., Canada, Sweden, Italy, USA, Japan and the Medway Delta! Includes spotlights on some of our favourite record labels Spinout Nuggets, Chaputa, Beluga and Damaged Goods and the episode is packed with killer tracks from former Prisoners frontman Graham Day's debut solo album, The Coolies featuring special guests Clem Burke from Blondie and Kathy Valentine from The Go-Go's and an unreleased song from Les Envahisseurs. Then there's Mimi & The Miseries, The Sound Station, Los Pepes, Deviation Days, Smalltown Tigers, Giuda, The Mourning After, The Sellwoods, The Speedways, Thee Escapees, K.S. & The Mystery Jet Set, Kurt Shirt, Dirt Royal, Cyanide Pills, Thee Moot, Cat & The Underdogs, Thee Strawberry Mynde and a sublime song from Paper Lips, the new solo project by Mike Whittaker of The Baron Four and The Jack Cades. Please support these fantastic bands, artists and record labels. For full track listing and links to how you can buy all this wonderful music, please check out the feature at Retro Man Blog at the link below:

https://retroman65.blogspot.com/2022/08/retrosonic-podcast-episode-49-tonic-for.html

Steve from Retro Man Blog welcomes special guests Buddy Ascott and Rob Green from The Fallen Leaves into the studio to discuss their upcoming tribute and fundraising show in the memory of the Deerstalker hat wearing guitar legend Don Craine of Downliners Sect at The Half Moon in Putney on Sunday August 21st. To help raise awareness of this very special event, Damaged Goods Records have kindly granted us an exclusive play of a brand new Thee Headcoats Sect song featuring Billy Childish, Bruce Brand and original Downliners Sect band member Keith Grant. This episode also features news of Buddy's latest recordings with Speakeasy, The Fallen Leaves, The 79'ers and another upcoming charity show with Vox Pop. Steve chats about some of the shows he's attended recently including Baby Shakes at the Pump It Up Power Pop Weekender, Love revisited with Johnny Echols at the Garage, The Gruesomes first ever U.K. show at Weirdsville, The Undertones at the Camden Electric Ballroom and there's music from The Masonics, The Fallen Leaves, Baby Shakes, Love, The Undertones, The 79'ers, Vox Pop, The Gruesomes and Downliners Sect. For full track listing and links please check out the feature at Retro Man Blog at this link:

https://retroman65.blogspot.com/2022/08/retrosonic-podcast-episode-48-why-dont.html Podcover Star: Amy K-B

For this very special episode of Retrosonic Podcast we caught up with all four members of the legendary Canadian Garage Rock band The Gruesomes as they rehearsed for their upcoming debut London show at Weirdsville on July 2nd, hard to believe this will be the first time the band have ever played the U.K. since forming in Montreal back in 1985. In this comprehensive and thoroughly entertaining show, singers and guitarists Bobby Beaton and Gerry Alvarez, bassist John Davis and drummer John Knoll take us on a wild ride from their formation in 1985, their split in 1990 and right up to their resurrection and classic comeback album "Cave-In!" in 2000. Along the way we discuss their debut E.P. "Jack The Ripper" and how it became a favourite of The Horrors, along with their first album, the impeccably titled "Tyrants of Teen Trash". We play tracks from each of their albums and their latest single alongside a pick of various influences and favourite songs from The Haunted, The Chords, Kit & The Outlaws, The Prisoners and The Sorrows. We also cover Canadian culture and music including the Montreal scene that spawned The Gruesomes. There's life threatening road accidents, touring Europe for the first time, why Spain loved The Gruesomes and the band's love of lemon curd! All this and lots, lots more in this teen-trash packed episode of Retrosonic Podcast. With sincere thanks to The Gruesomes - Bobby, John, Gerry & John and especially to Grant Fisher. The Gruesomes play their first and only UK show at Weirdsville at the Fiddler's Elbow in Chalk Farm on Saturday July 2nd with support from Retro Man Blog favourites The Jack Cades and DJ's Keb Darge, Mr A and Miss A. Psychotronic Visuals will be provided by Enjoy Yourself. For tracklisting, and links on where to buy tickets please check out the feature at Retro Man Blog at the link below.

https://retroman65.blogspot.com/2022/06/retrosonic-podcast-with-gruesomes.html

Welcome to Retrosonic Podcast Episode 47 where Steve is joined by Rock Photographer Paul Slattery to discuss "Retrospectively Yours", the excellent new compilation from Ronnie Mayor of The Tours, the criminally underrated, short-lived Power Pop/New Wave band who Paul first photographed and championed way back in 1979. There's a special feature on the album which highlights Ronnie's songwriting skills with The Tours and Da Biz and we pick a selection of songs from both bands. Steve talks about another great night of conversation at The Exchange in Twickenham hosted by Gary Crowley with his special guests Debsey Wykes from Dolly Mixture and Mick Talbot from The Style Council and we play a classic Dolly Mixture song. Then we have brand new releases from former bandmates in The Prisoners, Graham Day and Allan Crockford, Graham with his debut solo single and Allan with Sounds Incarcerated, the lockdown cover version project with Viv Bonsels. Then there's Autoramas, our favourite Space Age Garage Rockers from Brazil, some perfectly crafted modern day French Ye-Ye from Monsieur Paul et Les Solutions, there's the melodic Glasgow sound of Neil Sturgeon & The Infomaniacs and some blistering tuneful Punk Rock from Suzi Moon. Paul picks his three favourite bands from his time living in Boston, The J. Geils Band, Duke & The Drivers and Lyres and there's songs from Magazine and The Ronettes and Paul reminisces on the time he was kissed by Ronnie Spector, and we the photographic evidence to prove it! For the feature with full tracklisting, photos and links to where you can buy the new music played in this episode, please check out the link to Retro Man Blog below:

https://retroman65.blogspot.com/2022/02/retrosonic-podcast-episode-47-this-is.html

Retrosonic Podcast has a PRS licence.