The Ugly American Werewolf in London Rock Podcast

Oasis was one of the world's biggest bands in the 90s and 2000s. Led by main songwriter and lead guitarist Noel Gallagher and lead singer Liam Gallagher, the band achieved heights rarely seen. But in the UK, Oasis were about as big as The Beatles and were the soundtrack to a moment in time around Cool Britannia and forward looking socioeconomic and political change at the time. Though they didn't become nearly as popular in the US, they attracted a core fan base including The Wolf (eventually). We've done shows in the past on the difference between the band's success in the US vs. the UK (episode 78).

When they announced 14 dates (now 17) in 5 cities in the UK and Ireland on August 27, it was the biggest news around the world. So we felt compelled to give you our Hot Take reactions to the announcement, when and where they were playing, how we could attempt to get tickets, who will be playing in the band (Paul "Bonehead" Arthurs and Gem Archer have been confirmed) and where they might go after those initial dates. As some additional information has come out since we recorded our Hot Take, we address that news at the end of the show. We're beyond excited for this reunion but worried we might be left out in the cold on tickets! Should we pay way too much for 2nd hand tickets and see their first few shows before they breakup? Should we stay put and hope they come to the US? We discuss it all and hope for the best!

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As a teenager, did you ever fantasize about sitting at home when there was a knock at the door, only to find that there stood 3 young California Girls ready to take you on an adventure for the night? Well Scott Holiday, lead guitarist of Rival Sons, didn't have to dream about it because it happened to him on June 10, 1995 as an 18 year old living in Huntington Beach. So as a red-blooded American boy, he naturally jumped in with them to The Hollywood Bowl to see Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers.

But the story takes a turn when an unexpected addition to the evening comes in the form of a party favor before the show starts. From there it's a journey great music, bright lights, giggly girls, a quest to find the car and a trip back to Huntington Beach. It was a memorable night for Scott (and I'm sure for the ladies as well) and now he and Rival Sons are making memories on co-headliner bill with Clutch in the US this fall. Learn more about dates & cities: www.rivalsons.com/tour/

First Concert Memories is the monthly sidecast from your friends at The Ugly American Werewolf In London Rock Podcast. We live to hear the stories when live rock music made for a special night in lives of those who love it!

www.rivalsons.com

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The Wolf spent 3+ years just a stone's throw from Abbey Road in NW London, just six blocks from the studio that goes by the same name. The studio was EMI for decades until it was renamed in the 1970s after the final album recorded by The Beatles (Let It Be was released later but those sessions took place earlier and at different studios). After throwing out exotic locales for the album cover, George Harrison suggested they walk across the street and the most iconic album cover was born.

The boys may not be the world's biggest Beatles fans but to love rock n roll, one must have an appreciation for them. The Wolf remained largely unfamiliar with Abbey Road until he realized he had to pick up a copy if he was going to walk down that street everyday for 3 years. As it turns 55, the boys go track x track, discuss the famous cover and dive into the state of The Beatles in their final days.

Paul was trying to manage the band since the death of Brian Epstein and still deliver the goods in the studio. John was getting deeper into heroin and Yoko Ono. George was growing up and saving some of his best for his debut solo album. And Ringo just wanted the boys to stop fighting in meetings all the time.

But George brought the goods with Something and Here Comes The Sun. John offered up Come Together and the pre-heavy metal I Want You (She's So Heavy). Paul put together some of his and John's best new melodies for the epic medley on the 2nd side. And dear Ringo gave us Octopus's Garden, a place he'd rather be than haggling with the band all the time.

We dive deep into each song, where each member of the band was at the time and where they were going. This may not be our favorite album but it is an important document of a band that had had enough but could still bring the most amazing harmonies to life.

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In 2004, Green Day were in a bit of an existential crisis. It had been a decade since Dookie went Diamond in the US and platinum around the world and their appearance at Woodstock 94 helped propel them to one of the biggest bands of their generation. And while big hits and successful tours followed throughout the 90s, I can understand that it's hard to find things to rebel against when your rich and famous. Their 2000 album Warning didn't light the world on fire and then their next attempt at a new album was scuttled once the master tapes were stolen. It would have been easy for Green Day to call it day at that point.

However, Billy Joe Armstrong, Mike Dirnt and Tre Cool decided to create a concept album that points out the lies and perils associated with chasing the American Dream against the backdrop of a neo-conservative government leading us into wars without justification. It follows the story of a young man from suburbia who wants out but finds that his dream of the big city is fraught with peril. And through all his trials and tribulations he manages to find love and the realization that maybe all wasn't so bad back in his hometown. But just because it's a concept album doesn't mean it's without radio friendly hits as it boasts chart toppers like Boulevard of Broken Dreams, Wake Me Up When September Ends, and The Wolf's favorite - Holiday. They have prog-like nine minute epics with different pieces which would rival those of YES and incredibly brilliant lyrics from Billy Joe against some of the best riffs of the era.

No matter your side of the political spectrum, American Idiot will grab you sonically and then pull you in with intelligent lyrics that reflected what America was becoming and warning about things we see coming to pass today. It's an amazing album from a time when rock bands weren't given much press but Green Day still managed to not only make their masterpiece but have it celebrated all over the world.

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One of the best things about having a rock music podcast is hearing new albums before the general public has the chance. Once The Wolf and Action Jackson heard the ringing guitars and soaring vocals of October Drift on their 3rd album, Blame The Young (out September 27, 2024), they wanted to spread the word far and wide. So they tracked down lead singer and lyricist Kiran Roy to talk to them about the making of the record, his song writing style and the growth of October Drift's popularity.

Kiran and his bandmates Alex Bispham (bass), Chris Holmes (drums/vocals) and Dan Young (guitar) have taken a big step forward with their latest album and fans of 80s alternative music from the 120 Minutes days will love what they hear. From the raucous title track to the hard charging Don't Care to the triumphant and glorious finale Not Running Anymore you might hear bits of bands like The Smiths, The Replacements, Echo & The Bunnymen, REM and Psychedelic Furs. Hear Kiran uncover a bit about their writing process, how they came out of COVID stronger as a band and utilized some time together at an AirBNB to put together their best album yet. Also, you can hear bits of the three singles Demons, Blame The Young and Tyrannosaurus Wreck plus two early singles Robots and Airborne Panic Attack.

It was a fun chat with an up and coming singer with a band set to embark on their first headlining tour of Europe this fall. Kiran's thoughtful and relatable lyrics connect through his harmonies with Chris Holmes and the ringing guitars classic alternative rock fans love. We may be a classic rock podcast but if we don't find a promote the current generation of rock n rollers, there will be no more rock n roll to love. So give it a listen and then go buy/download their albums!

Learn more about October Drift here - https://octoberdrift.os.fan/ and follow them on socials:

https://www.instagram.com/octoberdrift/

https://www.facebook.com/octoberdrift

https://x.com/octoberdrift

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After a grueling 100+ date tour to support their Piece Of Mind album, no one would blame the boys in Iron Maiden for taking some well deserved time off. Instead, after 3 weeks off they went back to start writing and rehearsing for their next album, Powerslave, which would prove to be HUGELY important in breaking them in the US, South America and all around the world. Thanks to having the same lineup as the last album for the first time and a work ethic driven by Iron Maiden's eternal leader Steve Harris, the boys produced an album with the imagery and songs that would propel them to global superstardom.

Derek Riggs artwork was at its finest for the Egyptian themed cover and would also be the backdrop of the incredible stage setup of one of the most epic tours ever. On almost 200 dates in 11 months covering 28 countries including going behind the Iron Curtain, the tour nearly broke every member of the band at some point. However, with radio friendly hits like Aces High and 2 Minutes 2 Midnight, Maiden got on the UK charts. But it was their proggy epics like the title track and Rime Of The Ancient Mariner that solidified IM as a unique act in the heavy metal world. Plus, Maiden would record their timeless live album and home video Live After Death at the Long Beach Arena in California on this tour which introduced millions to the band around the world.

As it turns 40, The Wolf & Action Jackson go track x track and relive some fond memories from Powerslave.

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On the 13th edition of the monthly sidecast from The Ugly American Werewolf in London Rock Podcast, we relive a special night in the life of Gerry Schramm. As the co-host of the Something For Nothing Rush Fancast, Gerry is devotee of Rush for 4 decades. But Gerry didn't hear them on the radio and explore their catalog or have a friend share their record collection with him to find Rush.

Instead, one one night in New Jersey in 1986, Gerry and his high school friend and future co-host Steve had an extra ticket and needed a ride to a concert at The Meadowlands that night. And Gerry was up for anything. So together they embarked on the first of more than 25 Rush shows for Gerry - the one that would hook him immediately that night and deeply for life.

Hear from teenage Gerry how the set built from hit to hidden gem and the level of musicianship blew him away. Learn what it's like to behold a solo from The Professor Neil Peart himself and marvel at the fact that no one is leaving during the drum solo. It was the Power Windows Tour and one of the best setlists The Wolf has ever seen, himself a four decade Rush fan who never had the chance to catch the Power Windows Tour. The Wolf and Action Jackson reminisce about camping out for tickets to their first Rush show and all the memories that friends make with live rock n roll!

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August 28, 1989 saw the release of Dr. Feelgood, the album that would solidify Motley Crue as a sleazy, sunset strip band that had hit the big time. It included songs you would expect from Motley (She Goes Down, Slice Of Your Pie, Rattlesnake Shake) but thanks to producer Bob Rock also included 5 singles that hit the charts in the US. The band tries to be tender in spots (Without You, Time For Change) but stays true to themselves with adrenaline boosters like Kickstart My Heart, Same Ol' Situation and the title track.

And though they were all over MTV and touring to huge crowds around the world, all was not right in Crue World. The band were all sober at this time. And while that might have led to better work in the studio and more consistent live shows, it also made personalities clash. This would prove to be the last album from the original line up until 1997 and certainly the last to make the sort of cultural impact the band made in the 80s. Did the more polished studio sound from Bob Rock create band factions? Did sobriety and wealth cause them to grow apart? Did the Crue just implode before they faded away?

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Oasis in the UK are more than just rock royalty. They are the foul-mouthed, big riff, council estate kids with unibrows and bad attitudes that helped lift the UK out of it's 1980's/Thatcherism malaisse and into the Cool Britannia of the 1990s. Out was the doom and gloom of American grunge, in were melodic songs that kids could relate to. Anthems like Rock N Roll Star, Columbia and Cigarettes and Alcohol spoke directly to the young generation who were anxious to make their own mark on the world. Led by the songwriting and riff borrowing of Noel Gallagher and the sheer strength of the vocals of his younger brother Liam, Oasis debut Definitely Maybe became the fastest selling debut album in the UK at the time.

However, in the US, though Oasis debut hit the charts and eventually went platinum, the band never took off to the heights they would enjoy in the UK and around the world. Maybe it was Creation Records lack of solid backing by the US record industry or maybe it was the brothers snarling and nasty attitudes (and those unibrows) that turned enough people off during the age of grunge that would soon give way to softer sounds like Hootie and the Blowfish. But Oasis were the spokesmen of their generation in the UK and knew who to borrow from (The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, T Rex, The Jam) to make a big, bright, loud sound that would have them headline Knebworth just 2 years after the release of this debut in front of 250,000 people over 2 nights.

Oasis are also the masters of the b-side (a lost art in the US) and as CD singles with 4 tracks on them were all the rage, Oasis hit the playlists and sales from singles as well as anyone in the UK. So relive the big hits (Live Forever & Supersonic), enjoy the album tracks (Slide Away, Bring It On Down) and unearth some b-sides as we celebrate Definitely Maybe as it turns 30.

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Our long-time listeners know that The Wolf & Action Jackson have a special place in their hearts for the music of 80s pop/rock supergroup Asia. Asia's eponymous debut album was the top selling album in the US in 1982 and spent 9 weeks at the top of the chart thanks to hits like Sole Survivor, Only Time Will Tell and the #1 smash Heat Of The Moment. With John Wetton on bass & vocals, Steve Howe on guitar, Geoff Downes on keyboards and Carl Palmer on drums, Asia achieved great success and would go onto have many incarnations over the years. And though the original band did reunite for their 25th anniversary and release more albums, the death of John Wetton in 2017 left Asia in an uncertain place for the band and its fans.

However, thanks to YouTube, Geoff Downes came across the talent of Harry Whitley - a Welsh multi-instrumentalist who put up some Asia performances from his home which really captured the spirit of John Wetton. From there, Geoff invited Harry to perform at the tribute to John Wetton at Trading Boundaries in the summer of 2023. The songs went down so well that Geoff eventually invited Harry to join Asia on a tour of the US in 2024. We tracked down Harry in New Jersey between gigs and talked to him about all of these amazing steps that led to him becoming the new lead singer of Asia, what it means to sing John's songs and how he's enjoying his first real trip to the US. We think you'll find Harry to be an open and down-to-earth young man who was candid in his answers. And as a bonus, guitarist John Mitchell also participated on the call as he was waiting for his room to be readied and he provided some fun comic relief.

We cover as much as we could, including having Harry answer the question of a 10 year old Asia fan and if you stick around long enough, you might hear a bit of bonus material that had everyone laughing. The bottomline is if you have the chance to see this incarnation of Asia, don't miss it as we know any Asia fan will love it!

Check out Asia's 2024 Tour Dates: www.originalasia.com

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