The Hustle

Stiff Records founder and label chief Dave Robinson returns this week to discuss the Madness "documentary" he directed back in 1981 called Take It Or Leave It that has recently been restored and released on DVD/Blu-Ray and is currently playing special screenings in theaters across the UK. Dave made this film - part scripted narrative/part origin story documentary - 45 years ago as a way of telling the story of how the band came together during their first wave of massive success. This fascinating piece of rock history shows the seven distinct personalities of the Nutty Boys as well as some of the studios and small clubs where they got their start. Not to mention the gray and somewhat depressing UK of the early 80s. The film has been newly restored in gorgeous 4k and available for purchase for the first time. He's also hoping to get more special screenings scheduled around the world. If you care about Madness, you have to see this movie! 

Songwriter Bruce Cockburn remains one of Canada's finest musical exports. His unique vision and approach to songs has been there since his debut album in 1970. Always more interested in talking about the state of the world than the state of the heart, Bruce has recorded thought-provoking classics like "Lovers in a Dangerous Time", "Wondering Where the Lions Are" and "If I Had a Rocket Launcher." He joins us this week to talk about his new album (his 26th!) called The Blood of Others, which sees him covering songs he grew up on in a stripped back style. To honor Bruce, we're joined this week by our friend Ben Montgomery, host of the Records Revisited Podcast (and the biggest Bruce fan we know). It's fascinating to hear how this legend's mind works. Enjoy!

In memory of former guest, Donnie Iris, who passed away, October 26

We have a twofer this week for the deepest of music lovers. First up is Danny Klein, bassist for the incredible J. Geils Band. Legend is they were one of the greatest live bands of all time and were finally starting to have huge hits in the early 80s when lead singer Peter Wolf left for a solo career. Danny tells us about the band's history and what he's up to these days. Then things get interesting. In the early 80s there was a great (though largely unknown) post-punk band out of Rochester New York called New Math. They released a couple albums, but then they decided to completely change their sound, which led to a name change. Now known as the Jet Black Berries, the band had more in common with groups like Social Distortion and Jason and Scorchers. Unfortunately, as great as both bands were, neither lit up the charts and the group faded away. Thanks to a remastering and re release campaign by Propeller Sound Recordings, the band is seeing some new interest. Guitarist Gary Trainer and drummer Roy Stein tell us all about it this week. Enjoy! 

Out of the gate, De La Soul changed the rules of hip-hop with their revolutionary debut album, 3 Feet High and Rising. The D.A.I.S.Y. Age was just starting to blossom when Trugoy, Posdnuos, and Mace (with the help of producer Prince Paul), began deconstructing the movement they had just started. Although they released several incredible rap albums after that, they never stayed in one place for long and continue to push the limits of what hip-hop can be, but never as much as those early days. Were they "bullied" into going in different directions? Were they not adequately displaying "black masculinity"? Author Austin McCoy's new book dissects their career, what it's meant in the black community, and how it influenced him to become who he is. If you were impacted by De La Soul back in 1989, this book might tell part of your story too. Enjoy! 

www.austincmccoy.com

www.simonandschuster.com/authors/Austin-McCoy/212730757

www.patreon.com/c/thehustlepod

Colin Moulding's contributions to the great XTC were crucial to making that band what they were. Andy Partridge's leadership, personality and songwriting was the main driver, but Colin had a bigger pop sensibility and is responsible for some of the band's most enduring radio songs like "Making Plans for Nigel," "King for a Day," and "General and Majors". Colin has stayed largely out of the spotlight since the band ended in the 90s and has been happy working with friends on various projects here and there. He recently released a new single called "Want It Bad (The Pep Talks of Playing Fields of Old England)" which was inspired by a chat he had with a grandchild. Colin joins us this week to discuss the new song and why he's comfortable exactly where he in his in career right now. His answers might surprise you. Enjoy! 

www.patreon.com/c/thehustlepod

Musician David Gamson was just a guy who really liked r&b. His love for the genre compelled him to write songs, produce artists, and make music that pushed the boundaries of what it could be. Nowhere is this more obvious than when he worked with Green Gartside on Scritti Politti's second album, Cupid & Psyche 85, one of the greatest albums of the decade. Their partnership carried over to the less successful follow up, Provision, and the 1999's Anomie & Bonhomie. But, the success of C+P made David in demand with artists like Al Jarreau, Sheila E., Donny Osmond, Michal McDonald, Angie Stone, Chaka Khan and - the biggest successes of his career - Kesha and Kelly Clarkson who recorded "Stronger" and changed his life. In this very loose and fun conversation, we discuss how these each happened, his feelings about his older material, the new Deluxe Edition of C+P, and his long partnership with Meshell Ndegeocello, including her new album, Synonym. Enjoy! 

When you're given the chance to talk with Joey Tempest for a few minutes you take it! Europe just released another strong album last week called Come This Madness and are about to hit the road (mainly in Europe at first) so he chats with us briefly about it all. Then, we settle in with Kevin Martin of Candlebox who are also on tour right now and hitting the states with some of their fellow 90s friends (Local H, Sponge, etc). Kevin talks about the evolution of the band from multi-platinum grunge guys, so solid AOR rock lifers. If you stopped paying attention to Candlebox after the first couple albums, it's time to fix that. They've been on a roll for a while. 

www.europetheband.com

www.candleboxrocks.com 

The Clash were labeled "the only band that mattered," but why? Yes, Joe, Mick, Paul and Topper represented an anti-authoritarian stance, but what was at the core of their rebelion? Author and insider Pat Gilbert joins us to discuss his book Passion is a Fashion that is probably the most detailed Clash book you'll ever read. Each member comes to life - for better or worse - and their progress from punk rockers to world music alchemists is laid out in full. Pat knows the entire Clash family intimately and gives us his take on the machinery. And, there's a giveaway! Enjoy! 

www.quarto.com/books/9781805704133/passion-is-a-fashion

https://www.patreon.com/c/thehustlepod

Our guest this week is noted session keyboardist Michael Boddicker, but before we get to him, Joey Tempest of Europe joins us for a few minutes to talk about their new album Come This Madness out this weekend. Europe has been on a creative high for the last couple decades and the new album keeps the streak going. They're about to embark on a European tour, so Joey and I discuss the latest work and also his thoughts on their peak 80s period. Then Michael sets the pod on fire with his manic energy! Stories (the ones he remembers anyway) include EWF, Lionel, MJ, ONJ, Donna and tons of others. He also shouts out scores of names you've seen on liner notes your whole life. He's a force of nature! Enjoy!