The Hustle

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! 

The inimitable Mick Wall returns to shoot the shit with us this week. Topics include: Motley, GnR, Jimi, Kalodner, Duran Duran, Simple Minds, Billy Squier, never-ending farewell tours, concerts in general, books, podcasts and anything else we (he mostly) could think of. We had a blast! 

This week it's the legendary Gary Numan! Spenwood Books is at it again with the recent publication of Gary Numan - A People's History. The hook for the book is that it tells Gary's story through the words and memories of "Numanoids" who bought the albums, saw him in concert, met him, and have stayed loyal over almost 50 years. Gary joins us this week to talk about his incredible journey. His evolution from synth pioneer, to pop has-been, to icon has been dramatic and triumphant. If all you know is "Cars," you need to explore everything else this man has to offer. Enjoy! 

Whether he goes by his long running stage name, John Wesley Harding, or his often used real one, Wesley Stace has built an unexpected career over 40+ years. He starts out like a storyteller in song form, politically minded and with a busker's spirit, but that has evolved over the years to include different styles and expressions that have always remained a level of quality. He just put out a new album, as Wesley Stace, called The Last Heist, which sees him carrying on with the slight jazz vibe he's been into the last few years. Wesley joins us this week to discuss his different personas, his years at Sire Records with Seymour Stein and Howie Klein, curating his Cabinet of Wonders variety show, and tons more. Enjoy! 

This week we welcome Dennis Drew and Steven Gustafson of 10,000 Maniacs. It hasn't been easy for this excellent band. They got off to a slow start, but broke through on their magical third album In My Tribe with enduring singles like "What's the Matter Here" and "Like the Weather". But after a couple more studio albums that kept the success growing and a hugely successful Unplugged album, lead singer Natalie Merchant left the band. The guys quickly replaced her with Mary Ramsey and continued to record and tour, just not at the same trajectory. This Labor Day weekend the band will celebrate their 45th Anniversary at the Jamestown Arts Festival, where it all began. Dennis and Steve reflect on the journey and share some incredible stories. Enjoy! 

For our latest Book Club we're welcoming authors Brad Tolinski and Chris Gill of the fantastic new book, Blow By Blow: The Jeff Beck Story. Admittedly, I've always respected Jeff more than enjoyed him, so to help with this conversation I invited the biggest Beck fan I know, Brad Page, host of the I'm In Love With That Song podcast. Together we hear all sides on Jeff, the good and not-so-good, and the case is made whether he's one of the greats. The book is excellent and this conversation should get you thinking and maybe even inform your opinion as well. Enjoy! 

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0KPbR0LRmyVjkh3G4v58GZ?si=8tSDWIMVTxeuiESaO80Hwg&nd=1&dlsi=7728a2cca267487c

www.patreon.com/c/thehustlepod

www.dacapopress.com/titles/brad-tolinski/blow-by-blow/9780306836589/

Lou Gramm has been one of rock's greatest voices for 54 years. Foreigner's finally in the Hall of Fame and he's celebrating an amazing legacy with a deserved farewell tour happening now and a new solo album called Released. The album is made up of stray songs from his heyday that were unfinished until now and a few new songs done in the style of AOR's 80s peak. Lou joins us this week to discuss these things as well as his current relationship with Mick Jones (things are good right now), his health, Foreigner's well-documented finances, his faith, and lots more. Lou has left an indelible mark on rock music and has always been an example of how good the genre can be. He deserves all the respect there is! 

www.lougrammofficial.com

www.patreon.com/c/thehustlepod