The Paranoid Squirrel

up, as almost promised, here’s the Mid-Week Special, minus 1. Kicking things

off are The Beatles with two tracks that you probably haven’t heard on the

Radio; one old and one new. Iron Maiden have a new album out in the form of

“The Book Of Souls”, naturally I air a track from said album. Imperial State

Electric released their fourth album last Friday called “Honk Machine”. I’m not

asking…..After careful consideration I select a choice cut for you to hear. ISE

are over here in Blighty supporting Graveyard in November. Coincidently Graveyard

will be releasing their new album “Innocence & Decadence” next month, so if

your mind isn’t already made up about purchasing tickets to see ISE and

Graveyard I play you a little taster from the band’s aforementioned new album

to push you in the right direction. Black Trip are up next as Nicke Andersson

was at the Production Helm for their third album “Shadowline”. In a quick “Heads

Up” Ghost Highway Records will soon be putting out a new live vinyl Record from

The Nomads, the label has also just released a 7” from The Dahlmanns the a-side

of which I play. Another track from The Catastrophe RecordsBorn Loose/Lovesores

split 7” gets played as the label has inked in a distribution deal with

BootlegBooze.com and Undergroundmediciene.com. Even with Eddie Spaghetti

sidelined at the moment due to his on-going Cancer TreatmentTheSupersuckers

have still found time to record the new album “Holding The Bag”. Whilst

listening to the title track go here

and donate. The Bones have just recorded their first track in their native

German language. Does it work? I play it for your own judgement. After a five

year hiatus the Backyard Babies are back on Friday with “Four By Four”. Reviews

are mixed. After its first play I originally thought that it would’ve made a

great 4 track ep, even the name says so. However after having it on heavy

rotation for the benefit of The Squirrel I found it to be a grower and I’m

looking forward to hearing great swaths of it played live. In the meantime a

track from said album is obviously played. Talking of The Squirrel; more out of

the Country clashing gigs have befall her. Still involving Amorphis but now The

Michael Monroe Bandhas gotten themselves mixed up in the proceedings. To

underline The Squirrel’s dilemma I play a track from the new Amorphis album

“Under The Red Cloud”. The Paranoid Squirrel resident Butterfly Keeper, yes we really do have one, gave us at The Role

Models gig on the 21st a list of bands that were most defiantly

Squirrel pleasing. Unfortunately in the cold light of day I couldn’t read my

own handwriting making out only two bands. The first legible band was The

Prophets of Addiction. A quick Google Search had me reading that they were a) A

Rock Band from Seattle and B) The press has likened them to; Guns n Roses, The

Ramones, Mötley Crüe, Dead Boys, LA Guns, Hanoi Rocks and the Lords of the New

Church. On that basis I purchased their second album “Reunite The Sinners” which

features a guitar solo from CC DeVille however I play a track for you that

doesn’t. The final song on this Tuesday Night Special comes courtesy of a solo

track from former Space Age Playboy and current Tattooed Millionaire Johnny

Jetson’s “The Father, The Son And The Ghost Of Rock And Roll” debut Album. See

you Thursday.

was the Glunk Records Release Party for the Role Models Album “The Go To Guy”.

Which was held at The Black Heart in Camden with obviously the Role Models

headlining. Joining Rich Rags and the rest of the Role Models was Michael

Monroe guitarist and former New York Doll Steve Conte. A hot and sweaty night

was had by all, but don’t take my word for it…….

to Episode 447 of The Paranoid Squirrel Rock Show and on this week’s show we

have another new track from the Biters’ brand new album “Electric Blood” which

seems to have been a permanent fixture in my stereo at the moment, although I

have found time to listen to the new Ghost album “Meliora” and play you a track

from it which unfortunately skips at the beginning (poxy CD). Continuing on

from last week’s first World problem of clashing gigs a new one has been added

that effects The Squirrel; Amorphis up at Wembley versus Sator playing Debaser

to celebrate the Anniversary of “Headquake”. My money is on The Squirrel going

to Stockholm. Consequently a track by Sator from “Headquake” is played. Up next

is a track from The Straight To Video project which is the Brain Child of Rob

Lane sometime bassist with The Teenage Casket Company, The Bullet Boys, Let

Loose and Enuff Z’nuff’s Johnny Monaco’s solo band. Rob’s idea was to record

classic 80’s 90’s pop songs that featured in classic 80’s 90’s films. On the

second release cleverly called “Straight 2 Video” Robin Black, formerly of The Intergalactic

Rock Stars, lends his vocals to Paul Westerberg’s “Dyslexic

Heart”. As it was Robin’s Birthday last week Rob made it free to Download from

the projects SoundCloud site which if you missed I play. Last week I played

some Octopie who I said sounded like the Eureka Machines going prog. Well I

played the album to The Squirrel who could see where I was coming from but

thought it was more akin to The Scaramanga Six and I have to agree but to fair

to me at one time both the Eureka Machines and The Scaramanga Six sported Chris

Catalyst and Steven Morricone. To underline this I play some Scaramanga

Six who coincidently released a new album at the beginning of June called “The Terrifying Dream”. Staying with last week I played

the wrong version of Billy Hopeless’ “Gutterball” his contribution to the Billy

Hopeless verses The Hip Priests split single out on a Little T&A Records.

I’m not going to go into the whys and what for. (Yes I’m an idiot). To rectify

my error I play the correct version. Whilst stalking, I mean surfing FaceBook,

I found myself listening to the Barreracudas album “Can Do Easy”. I was

quickly won over by their ‘70’s New York Glam, Punk, Trashy, Power Pop so

purchased said album a track of which I obviously air to win you over also. Operation:Mindcrime the band that features the former

vocalist of Queensryche Geoff Tate are all set to release their debut

album “The Key” on 18th September. As a teaser I play you the track

“Re-Inventing The Future” from the aforementioned album. This week’s show is

finished off by The Black Bullets recorded live at The Birds Nest in Deptford.

More sing-a-long anthems than a “Best of Zodiac Mindwarp” album.   

Last Great Dreamers are first up this week with a brand spanking new Motörhead

track from “Bad Magic” swiftly following in their wake. The Biters have a track

from their just released “Electric Blood” album aired with Thundermother

**erm** Thundering in afterwards interspersed with Gigs I

have already booked for next year and upcoming clashing gig stories featuring

The Wildhearts, Danko Jones, Biters, One Direction, Megadeth, Kavadar and

Bernie Tormé. I also mention about my trip next Friday up to Team Rock Radio’s

Breakfast Show. More new music comes from The Role Models’ “The Go To Guy”

album and then a classic track from The Sick Livers. After only having 16

seconds of Billy Hopeless’ song “Gutterball” that I played on Episode 444,

Billy himself e-mailed me asking if I wanted the full song. Obviously the

answer was a resounding “Yes” which you get to hear. (The song not me saying

“Yes”) Courage Best Bitter Band of The Year 1978 – Johnny Moped have the A-Side

of their first single in over 37 years played then I go all Prog with King

Crimson who are followed by Octopie and a track from “The

Adventure of Harry and Walrus Kane” which sounds like The Eureka Machines if

they were to ever record a Progressive Rock Album. I kid you not. As we head

towards the end of the show I play Grave Pleasures’, the artists formally known

as Beastmilk, first fruits from the “Dreamcrash” album. The final band of this

week’s show is The Heavy Metal Kids with a “Classic” live track taken from

their Merton Manor Club gig last Wednesday prior to their Rebellion Festival

Slot.

week I ventured out of the Studio into the realms of gigland and found myself

at The Forum in Kentish Town to see a band so influential that without them the

Garage scene as we know it today wouldn’t exist. Who am I talking about? The

Sonics of course. Influencing everybody from Bruce Springsteen through The

Cramps, Nirvana, The White Stripes and The Damned.  If you’re not familiar with the band name you

sure will have heard of some of their recordings. They popularised the Richard “Louie

Louie” Berry “Have Love Will Travel” from which all subsequent covers have been

based, with their own “Strychnine” covered by artists as diverse as The Fall,

The UK Subs The Surf Trio and the aforementioned Cramps. The band formed in

Tacom, Washington State in 1960 but it wasn’t until four years later that the

classic line-up of Gerry Roslie on vocals and keys with Bob Bennett on drums,

saxophonist Rob Lind and the Parypa Brothers of Larry and Andy on guitar and

bass got together and recorded “Here Are The Sonics” and “Boom” on the

Etiquette Record label in 1965 and 1966 respectively. The band sort of finished

around 1968 but the name carried on featuring no original members until 1980.

However three of the classic era line-up were persuaded to reform for The

Cavestomp Garage Rock Festival in Brooklyn at the beginning of November 2007.

At the end of January this year news broke that the band would be releasing a

brand new studio album on the 31st March, their first in over 40

years, called “This Is The Sonics”. And this is the Sonics live at The Forum,

Kentish Town 30th July 2015.

Slade finished things off last week I start this week’s show with them.

Continuity at its finest. The Black Bullets from Basingstoke have a tune from

their new EP “Bulletproof” aired. Think Zodiac Mindwarp and classic

Anti-Nowhere League. Evo/Algy from Warfare and Tank respectively have got it

together and released a six track EP of three originals and three covers. The

covers being R.A.M.O.N.E.S.” by Motörhead, “Know Your Product” by Algy’s pre

Damned band The Saints and Status Quo’s “Tune To The Music”. However it’s one

of their originals that gets played. On the split 7” front Bloodlights and

Dieter Jones go head to head as do The Hip Priests and Billy Hopeless. Hear

what each has to offer. Queensryche’s second album to feature Todd LaTorre

“Condition Human” is all set from release on the 2nd October, as a

prelude I play a track from it. On the Pledge front this week it’s the turn of

my joint all-time favourite guitarist Bernie Tormé with “Blackheart” and if

you’re quick you’ve got until Monday (27th) to grab it before the

pledge ends. Eight quid for a twelve track digital album and a bonus ep? It’s a

no brainer, as you’ll hear. Off the back of last week’s mention of late 90’s

Scandinavian Garage bands I play you The Peepshows, The Robots and The Royal

Cream and with the added edition of Cosmo

Jones Beat Machine from Finland. Finishing this week’s show off are Borracho and Geezer who are the subject of

the first release in the “The Second Coming of Heavy - Chapter One”

series on the Ripple Music Label.

week I celebrate 8 years of The Paranoid Squirrel Rock Show. Joining in me the

party are The Hydromatics, well they were the first band that I played on

Episode 1. New music comes courtesy of Spam Javelin who hail from North Wales.

Keeping with the innuendos, Pink Cigar’s new single also gets an airing. Next I

take you back to the sixties with some Graham Bond Organisation as last week I

watched the “Beware Mr. Baker” on the BBC iPlayer. On the live front I play a

track from the new Boys live CD “Undercover” which was recorded in China with

Sator’s Kent Norberg on bass duties. In sad related news Honest John Plain has

been Hospitalised after a fall. I think you’ll be joining me in wishing him a

speedy recovery. At this point I talk about what books I have lined up, one of

which is “Love In Vain” the story of the Ruts and Ruts DC by Roland Link. As

last week was the 35th Anniversary of Malcolm Owen’s death I play something

by them. Pledge time involves a track from The International Swingers

self-titled studio album which took me a few listens to get into. The band

features Glem Burke, Glen Matlock, James Stevenson and Gary Twinn. Thanks to

Uber Rock reviewing The Last Throes album “Get Me Wrong” I rushed over to the

band’s BandCamp site and parted with $10 (£6.60 in real money) so I could own a

piece of the action. Well with a quote like “the Dead Boys with Bon Scott

fronting them instead of Stiv” I’m going to. Obviously I play something from it.

The Flaming Sideburns get all acoustic by covering The Who and then I hit you

with a full on studio track by them. As Eddie Spaghetti’s post Cancer treatment

has surpassed its $50,000 target by over five grand. I hit you with a

Supersuckers song. There still are a couple of months left to run so if you’ve

a few quid spare www.youcaring.com/eddie-spaghetti is

the place to go. There is talk of a fundraiser over here and as soon as I have

more details I will let you know. Ghost have just released another track from

their forthcoming album “Meliora” album,

out on the 21st August, which you get to hear with the whole show

rounded of by the band that got me into music; Slade.

Damned get things moving this week with The MC5, or to be exact The MC2, live

from Helsinki in 1972 following on after. Peter Mensch has been bemoaning about

the lack of great new bands, I beg to differ and to underline it I play a brand

spanking new track from the Sick Livers new album “Mid Liver Crisis” and a tune

from the last Chuck Norris Experiment album. Both, coincidently, just so

happened to play SlugFest 8 last weekend. 

To reiterate my piece on last week’s show about iTunes and streaming I

let you know what the Sick Livers have on offer in the way of formats

concerning their new album. For no other reason than it seems like I should I

play a track from the last Hip Priests album I do. Much merriment was also had

this week as Imperial State Electric have been announced as Graveyards special

guests in November. I’m I going? Give me a “Hell Yeah!” So to celebrate I play

a new track and the first single from ISE’s “Honk Machine” album and something

off the last Graveyard CD.  More new

music and as Kerrang gave Eva Plays Dead 2/5 for their debut EP I knew it was

going to be good and had to play a track. What do Kerrap know anyway? Steven

Tyler croons his way onto the show with the lead track off his debut (sic) and

Country album. Thanks to Camden Council and the closure of The Purple Turtle I

am now able to go and to the album launch gig of The Role Models’ “The Go To

Guy”. To whit I play a track from it that features Sami Yaffa on bass. Up next

it’s Dee Snider with his first original material in over 20 years. Hard to

believe I know. South London Rollin’ Punk Rock ‘n’ Blues Merchants The Kult 45s

lead us into the home stretch with me talking about how I’ve double booked

myself once again with One Direction. This time it’s The Wildhearts playing the

P.H.U.Q. album in full at The Shepherds Bush Empire that I’ll be missing.

Anybody what a Level 1 ticket? Last band this week is the “You kept that quiet

from me Jake” Go Mod Go! That amongst its 12 members is former Adam West and

current main name in The Delicious Fullness throaterlist Jake Starr. Modtastic.

& The Stooges get things going this week with The Hellacopters covering the

MC5 hot on their heels. Royal Acid Orchestra have track from their third album “Kingdom

of Nothing” aired. The band’s new album “Never Mind The Strawberry Fields” is

out any day now and features former Hellacopter Robert “Strings” Dahlqvist. Up

next The Trouser from Budapest have a track from their new album “Mother of

Illusion” played, their last album featured Nicke Andersson. Spit Single time

and Taken By Surprise recording artists and Paranoid Squirrel

favourites Mother’s Children and the Mandates have got it together. Well they’re

both Canadian, both have just toured mainland Europe together and both are

purveyors of top quality Power Pop. The next split is the first on Catastrophe

Records and features two tracks by The Lovesores and Born Loose. One original

each and one cover each. I play, in a World exclusive, both originals. Be

prepared to be blown away! Much rejoicing was had by me last week, yes I Graduated

but that wasn’t it. What had me punching the air was the news that Steve Jones

and Paul Cook’s post Sex Pistol band The Professionals were reforming. Steve,

unfortunately, won’t be joining in the fun but his replacement Tom Spencer, yes

the Tom Spencer from The Yo-Yo’s and The Loyalties hasn’t ruled out Jones

future involvement. Get in. A third piece of fortuitous news this week was that

The Backyard Babies are playing in London the day before my 50th

Birthday, I know I only look like I’m in my thirties......If Moose from

TeamRock Radio is reading this please give me a presenting job as an early

present......Tank, the non Algy Ward version, are all set to release a brand

new album in September called “Valley Of Tears”. Very good it is as well, as

you will hear irrespective of who is or isn’t in the band. Tank by name, Tank

by nature.  I lend my thoughts to Lemmy

and Motörhead’s appearance at this year’s Glastonbury festival. Obviously I

play a Motörhead track. I also talk about the purchasing of music, mp3 versus

vinyl versus CD. The show is wrapped up by Mustasch and a track from their up

and coming “Testosterone” but then I realise that I have a few minutes to spare

and actually it is Nancy Boy that end this week’s show off.

group of Australians that I was glad to see over in the UK last week were Radio

Birdman, with their compilation 2CD of “Under The Ashes” taking on a whole new

meaning…It’s been nearly ten years since the Birdmen last flew into London,

admittedly they did try in 2008 (I think) only for UK Immigration at Calais to

refuse vocalist Rob Younger into the Country and with that then drummer Russell

Hopkinson picked up his sticks and flew back home leaving the Drum Roadie to

fill in their Greek Festival appearance. This time around all systems were go

with me even bumping into legendary, Guitarist, Doctor, Fighter Pilot Deniz Tek

as I parked up outside The Dome in Tufnell Park the venue for their UK assault.

It’s nigh on impossible for a band with such a rich back catalogue albeit only

3 album one to play a bad gig and Radio Birdman didn’t although I did feel they

got off to a slow start, not song wise, see

the beginning of this sentence, but it was like watching a kettle boil;

pretty safe to start with but when it’s boiling, get to close and you’re going

to get burnt. Incendiary! A couple of surprise, but welcome, covers were played

in the form of The Beatles and Magazine. Even on a School night with the Tube

Station over the road shut when the band over ran their 11’o clock curfew by 15

minutes the only movement wasn’t to the exit but was to continue rocking. Yeah!

Hup!