The Ugly American Werewolf in London Rock Podcast

U2 released Songs of Surrender, a new compilation of some of their best songs stripped down and reworked, on St. Patrick's Day 2023. We knew that was coming but what was a bit of a surprise was on the same day they released a documentary/performance via Disney+. Titled Bono & The Edge - A Sort of Homecoming with David Letterman, it captures the legendary singer & guitarist without their bandmates (Larry Mullen, Jr. was recovering from an injury, Adam Clayton was making a film) in Dublin discussing how some of their biggest and best songs came to be, how they've reworked them and even how they've updated them.

David Letterman serves as the narrator/interviewer and is very Dave, not only when speaking with Bono & The Edge but with Dubliners, Irish citizens, and performers. We're generally not in favor of reworking or changing classic tunes but the band have found an amazing balance between staying true to the original while stripping it down to it's essentialness. The boys give Dave and the viewer a better understanding of what it means to be Irish, how Dublin has evolved in the last 50 years and where the band find themselves now.

The real treat is the two performances - one at The Rotunda which was once a hospital (where Bono was born) and one at McDaids Pub whis is more than 200 years old. To watch them perform in both these settings with friends like Glen Hansard in an intimate setting is special and that's why we did this episode on this very special show.

Ugly American Werewolf in London Website

Ugly American Werewolf in London Store - Get your Wolf merch!

Twitter

Instagram

YouTube

LInkTree

www.pantheonpodcasts.com

Visit RareVinyl.com and use the NEW code UGLY to save 10%!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Iron Maiden are one of the biggest bands in the world, touring the planet in their own customized 747 flown by lead singer Bruce Dickinson. But in 1983, Maiden were still forging their way, trying to solidify their lineup and making their name through relentless touring. After the success of Number of the Beast, the band wanted to take things to the next level and with the addition of Nicko McBrain on drums they finally had their classic lineup set which is still intact today.

Thanks to Nicko on the skins, the confidence and power of vocalist Bruce Dickinson, the sci-fi lyrics and extraordinary bass of leader Steve Harris and the frantic guitar licks of Dave Murray & Adrian Smith, Iron Maiden had the lineup that would set them on a course for global superstardom. Piece of Mind would be the first of 5 legendary albums from this lineup in the 1980s and the 5 of them would reunite in 2000 (along with 3rd guitarist Janick Gers) to reclaim their thrones as the ultimate heavy metal band. They're still going today and The Wolf & Action Jackson will be catching their Future Past Tour in Europe this summer.

From Nicko's incredible drum work on Where Eagles Dare to Bruce's haunting vocals on Revelations to the ultimate Maiden runner with The Trooper, this album showcases the talent of all in the band. For once, they actually received airplay on US radio and The Trooper charted (unlike the 1st single The Flight of Icarus). Despite no love from MTV, the album went platinum in the US and the fans turned out in droves for their 130+ date tour. We go track by track, think about it in comparison to the other Iron Maiden albums we've reviewed over the years (#14 Live After Death, #38 Somewhere in Time, #39 Seventh Son of a Seventh Son, #65 Number of the Beast, #66 Fear of the Dark, plus #48 review of Bruce Dickinson speaking tour) and discuss how this was the real beginning of the band we love.

Ugly American Werewolf in London Website

Ugly American Werewolf in London Store - Get your Wolf merch!

Twitter

Instagram

YouTube

LInkTree

www.pantheonpodcasts.com

Visit RareVinyl.com and use the NEW code UGLY to save 10%!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

David Bowie achieved a cult following and critical acclaim in the 1970s for his glam-rock, gender bending image and style. He was a huge influence to artists all around the world and is the 9th best selling artist in the UK. However, huge commercial success eluded him, especially in the US. And following the murder of John Lennon in 1980, Bowie decided not to tour and became a bit of a recluse at his home in Switzerland.

After singing a big record contract with EMI in America, he decided to team up with legendary producer Nile Rodgers to create his 1983 release Let's Dance. With the help of Rodgers and his R&B influences, Bowie created an album bringing together R&B, pop. new wave and his own style. Thanks to his new sound and MTV, Let's Dance went on to sell over 10 million copies worldwide, his biggest seller ever and the lead single was also his biggest seller. But did Bowie want to be an international pop sensation? Was it a musical style and path he wanted to stay on? As usual we go track x track and try to better understand how this one fits in his catalog on UAWIL #120.

Ugly American Werewolf in London Website

Ugly American Werewolf in London Store - Get your Wolf merch!

Twitter

Instagram

YouTube

LInkTree

www.pantheonpodcasts.com

Visit RareVinyl.com and use the NEW code UGLY to save 10%!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon turns 50 in March and we want to celebrate this groundbreaking progressive rock album the way we always do - relating our personal stories of discovering the record, the band, seeing them play live, interviewing their members and going track x track. Dark Side is one of the biggest selling albums of all time (50 million+ sales worldwide) and changed the trajectory of the band who were best known as a psychedelic ensemble famous for their light shows and long instrumentals. After the departure of leader Syd Barret in the late 1960s, the band found their way forward together with all members - David Gilmour, Roger Waters, Rick Wright & Nick Mason - contributing to the writing and musicianship that catapulted this one into the stratosphere.

Recorded at EMI Studios (now Abbey Road Studios), the boys along with the help of engineer Alan Parsons experimented with new technology, multiple tracks, sound effects and recording techniques that built a groundbreaking soundscape. Though the record still had the signature Pink Floyd instrumentals, it also included timeless classic rock radio numbers like Money, Time, Us & Them and Brain Damage. From the iconic album cover to the direct, cutting lyrics, this album is unparalleled and remains relevant 50 years after it was first released.

Ugly American Werewolf in London Website

Ugly American Werewolf in London Store - Get your Wolf merch!

Twitter

Instagram

YouTube

LInkTree

www.pantheonpodcasts.com

Visit RareVinyl.com and use the NEW code UGLY to save 10%!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In March of 1993, Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin, The Yardbirds) and David Coverdale (Whitesnake, Deep Purple) were brought together by A&R legend John Kalodner to create a hard rock album in the midst of grunge. They almost called the band Legends or North and South but settled on Coverdale Page to combine Coverdale's raspy vocals with Page's extraordinary guitar work. For Jimmy Page fans who had been waiting for his return after the tepidly received Outrider album, this release was highly anticipated and eventually went platinum in the US thanks to radio hits like Pride & Joy, Shake My Tree and Take Me For A Little While.

However, critics were all over Page for collaborating with Coverdale who had been derided throughout his career as a Robert Plant clone. Even Plant himself threw shade at Jimmy and David as many of the tracks sounded very much like the old Zeppelin. But for two college students who were sure they'd never see a live Led Zeppelin show, they were psyched to hear this album and we actually bought tickets to see them live in Orlando. That show (and the whole North American Tour) never happened but hearing some of these songs on the radio, watching the videos on MTV and blasting it through our 5 CD changer in the dorm room made for happy days. And Robert Plant must have realized there was some magic there as not long after the release of Coverdale Page, he teamed up with Jimmy for the Unledded album, video and tour. It may not be the best work of either of these Rock N Roll Hall of Famers but it has a special place in history and in our hearts.

Ugly American Werewolf in London Website

Ugly American Werewolf in London Store - Get your Wolf merch!

Twitter

Instagram

YouTube

LInkTree

www.pantheonpodcasts.com

Visit RareVinyl.com and use the NEW code UGLY to save 10%!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 1978, Cheap Trick were much like their friends from KISS - they were working hard on the road, putting on great live shows but their studio albums weren't making much of a dent in the charts. However, thanks to opening for bands that were doing well in Japan, Cheap Trick amassed a nice following there and earned a #1 hit with the studio version of I Want You To Want Me (which didn't chart in the US). So the band decided to release a live album in Japan only to reward their fans in The Land of the Rising Sun.

However, thanks to I Want You To Want Me's inclusion as a b-side from a single on their 3rd album Heaven Tonight and imports of At Budokan coming from Japan to the US, they released the live album worldwide and the rest is history. The live versions of tracks like Ain't That A Shame, Surrender and I Want You To Want Me are the quintessential versions of those tunes on US rock radio. Plus, Cheap Trick set up their next album for success as it included songs that would be included on Dream Police. For kids growing up in the late 70s, Cheap Trick At Budokan was in the air, on the turntables and sung along to everyday. This was a fun one to go back and give a listen as you can hear some of the punk influence on their riffs while maintaining that pure rock sound that helped get them into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame. But make no mistake, without this album we wouldn't be talking about them today.

Ugly American Werewolf in London Website

Ugly American Werewolf in London Store - Get your Wolf merch!

Twitter

Instagram

YouTube

LInkTree

www.pantheonpodcasts.com

Visit RareVinyl.com and use the NEW code UGLY to save 10%!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Houses of the Holy saw Led Zeppelin grow as a band more than any of their previous 4 albums. After the enormous success of Led Zeppelin IV, the boys used some of their winnings to build home studios which allowed them to flesh more ideas and come to the studio with more robust ideas. John Paul Jones really stretched out the most showing his ability to play funk (The Crunge), arrange string sections (Rain Song), or take us on an epic ominous ride (No Quarter). Jimmy Page provides the killer riffs with the softer acoustic bits, Robert Plant adds his trademark lyrics and vocals while John Bonham hammers those drums to give everyone the space they need to shine.

Joining us for the 2nd time is House of the Dragon creator/executive producer/head writer Ryan Condal. Ryan is an old school metal head whose passion for rock music is only eclipsed by his passion for writing and you'll hear plenty of literary references and big words we don't often hear on a show of our ilk. We discuss the majesty of Zeppelin, go track by track, discuss the Hypnosis cover and the songs that didn't make the cut but ended up on other albums. Ryan provides no hints on upcoming House of the Dragon spoilers but we had a great time talking about this legendary album which turns 50 on March 28, 2023.

Where is that confounded bridge?

Ugly American Werewolf in London Website

Ugly American Werewolf in London Store - Get your Wolf merch!

Twitter

Instagram

YouTube

LInkTree

www.pantheonpodcasts.com

Visit RareVinyl.com and use the NEW code UGLY to save 10%!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On our show, we often examine bands who make it big on one side of the pond, but for some reason don't hit it big on the other. This week we examine a band that was huge in the US thanks to a hit by a band that was huge in the UK. in 1983, Quiet Riot released Metal Health and, thanks to success of the Slade cover Cum On Feel The Noize, became the first heavy metal album to hit #1 on the Billboard charts. The song hadn't been a hit for Slade in the US but was huge in the UK and Europe. Quiet Riot may have risen to great heights in the US but didn't make much of a dent in the UK.

Beyond the big hit, there are some driving beats and killer riffs provided by Frankie Banali (drums), Rudy Sarzo (bass) and Carlos Cavazo (guitar) on songs like Metal Health and Slick Black Cadillac. But it was the posturing and sleazy lyrics of lead singer Kevin Dubrow that really grabbed people's attention and got the band into some hot water. How has this one stood the test of time after 40 years? We go track by track, have a listen!

Ugly American Werewolf in London Website

Ugly American Werewolf in London Store - Get your Wolf merch!

Twitter

Instagram

YouTube

LInkTree

www.pantheonpodcasts.com

Visit RareVinyl.com and use the NEW code UGLY to save 10%!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's hard to believe it's been 40 years since U2 released War in early 1983. Though U2 had been gaining ground on their first two albums Boy and October, it was War that set them on the path to superstardom. Buoyed by the big hits New Years Day and Sunday Bloody Sunday, U2 had really found their footing with the help of producer Steve Lillywhite. The Edge was creating amazing melodies and textures through his guitar and piano, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen, Jr. were honing themselves into a foundational and funky rhythm section while Bono was really finding his voice as a singer and songwriter.

Though singing about war, love, inequality and things you don't always hear about on pop/rock records, U2 came across as earnest and steadfast in their beliefs. Thanks to MTV, the boys broke out big in American and sold more than 6 million copies. The 100+ date tour saw them go from playing clubs to playing arenas and some huge festivals. Though U2 would go on to have even bigger selling records, we always look back to this one as the real start of the juggernaut that win the hearts of American and the world.

Ugly American Werewolf in London Website

Ugly American Werewolf in London Store - Get your Wolf merch!

Twitter

Instagram

YouTube

LInkTree

www.pantheonpodcasts.com

Visit RareVinyl.com and use the NEW code UGLY to save 10%!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 1978, Gerry Rafferty was finally freed from his old record contract with his old band Stealers Wheel, which spawned the big hit Stuck In The Middle With You (which you may remember from a certain scene in Reservoir Dogs). After several years of commuting from his home in Scotland to London to deal with his legal issues, he was finally ready to offer up his first solo album in 7 years, City to City.

The success he found was big and unexpected with the single Baker Street topping the charts all around the world. But this easy listening gem was not without its fair share of controversy. For years saxophonist Raphael Ravenscroft claimed he'd written the iconic bit, something Gerry vehemently denied. Also, the song was kept from the top of the Billboard chart thanks to an arrangement by Andy Gibb's management to keep his song at #1. The follow up single Right Down The Line was also a big hit and helped City to City sell over 5 million copies worldwide. Gerry never again found success like he did with this record and we honor his achievement after 45 years by reviewing this classic track by track.

Ugly American Werewolf in London Website

Ugly American Werewolf in London Store - Get your Wolf merch!

Twitter

Instagram

YouTube

LInkTree

www.pantheonpodcasts.com

Visit RareVinyl.com and use the NEW code UGLY to save 10%!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices