TheDogBox Podcast

Play Show, or Right-Click to Download This is the 84th and final 'DogBox'. Thank you to everyone who has downloaded and listened to the show, and the rally fans, from all over the world, who emailed me to share their enthusiasm for rallying and motorsport in general. It's been great fun producing the show over the last two years. Bruce. The last WRC event of 2007 and Marcus Gronholm's 150th and final event. Marcus didn't get the fairy-tale ending he'd hoped for. A strong second place behind team-mate Mikko Hirvonen was the best he could muster, while Sebastien Loeb hung on for third place, good enough to claim the 2007 drivers title. Rally Wales really threw the conditions at the crews, the rain and mud made even more difficult by stages run in darkness. And after an off late on day one, Jari-Matti Latvala showed just what he could do by winning the bulk of the stages on the final two days. There's a new generation of drivers waiting to take centre-stage, but 2007 will go down as one of the classic years in WRC history. Photos courtesy of Taz and Estoril. And don't forget to check out Phil Wilson's great sequence of Andreas Mikkelsen's stage 9 roll. Music this week from: Los Campesinos - You! Me! Dancing! Rather than offer some obvious comparisons, we'll just tell you that this band plays songs that are kind of melodic, maybe even 'joyous'. You can purchase Los Campesinos from eMusic, and this track comes courtesy of Arts & Crafts. Howard Jones - Just Look At You Now. It was in 1983 that Howard Jones released his first single ‘New Song’ in the UK. The expectation was that it might sell a few thousand copies and introduce his fresh new music to an unsuspecting world. The reality was quite different. His second album spawned a series of hits including ‘Like To Get To Know You Well’, ‘Look Mama’, ‘Things Can Only Get Better’ and the classic ‘No One Is To Blame’ which reached No.1 in the U.S. singles chart and has since had over 3 million radio plays in USA. Background music: Cargo Cult - 'Helium' (courtesy of Magnatune). Incidental music by Derek K. Miller. If you like the song, email the artist and let them know. Or, better still, buy a CD! Technorati Tags: Rally Wales, Marcus Gronholm, Mikko Hirvonen, Petter Solberg, Chris Atkinson, Sebastien Loeb, Dani Sordo, Henning Solberg, ARC, Australian Rally Championship, V8 Supercars, V8SC

Play Show, or Right-Click to Download With just one week to go before the final round of the WRC for 2007, what better time could there be to catch up with Amberie Kat of What in the World Rally? Amberie is a keen observer, commentator and fan of the WRC, and we get her thoughts on the '07 season and the performances of the leading drivers.

Play Show, or Right-Click to Download Sebastien Loeb may have let Marcus Gronholm off the hook in Japan, but he certainly wasn't going to make the same mistake twice. Gronholm's exit on stage 4 opened the door for Loeb to take a six point lead in the championship with just one round to go. With Dani Sordo safely in second place, Jari-Matti Latvala pushed up into third place, while Mikko Hirvonnen stayed out of trouble in fourth, capturing enough points for Ford to take their second Manufacturers Championship. Photos courtesy of www.rallyireland.org. Music this week from: Pier Nineteen - Spiders and Webs. "The album is not only one of the most impressive recordings by a Galway band over the last few years but is probably as good as any album released by an Irish artist in quite a while" - Galway Advertiser. You can purchase the CD directly from the Pier Nineteen web site. Open Door Policy - Bending Out of Design. The band's sound combines infectious melody and clever dynamics to create energetic songs brimming with explosive choruses and lyrical positivity. Luka Bloom - Sunny Sailor Boy. Like many Irish familes, Luka comes from a family of singers, first going on tour with older brother, Christy Moore, in 1969. He was just 14 at the time, and since has played his songs in clubs, theatres, fesitivals, bars, arenas and dives all over the world. From McGanns in Boston to The Tivoli in Brisbane to Red Hot Club in Newbridge. Luka Bloom is available through Big Sky Records or iTunes. Background music: Cargo Cult - 'Helium' (courtesy of Magnatune). Incidental music by Derek K. Miller. If you like the song, email the artist and let them know. Or, better still, buy a CD! Technorati Tags: Rally Ireland, Marcus Gronholm, Mikko Hirvonnen, Petter Solberg, Chris Atkinson, Sebastien Loeb, Francois Duval, Dani Sordo, Henning Solberg, ARC, Australian Rally Championship, V8 Supercars, V8SC

Play Show, or Right-Click to Download Too big, too strong. Simon Evans and the Toyota team take home another series, clinching his second-straight championship during leg 1 of Rally of Melbourne. We got all the action from both legs, including interviews with Michael Guest, Glen Raymond, Spencer Lowndes, Brendan Reeves, Les Walkden, and the series champ Simon Evans. Photos courtesy of Toyota Racing Development, Pirtek Rally Team and paulbatten.com. Music this week from: The Exploders - I Can't Dance. It's not about where you're from, it's all about where you're at. Or in the case of Lake Bolac's finest sons The Exploders, where you're going. It may be a long way to the top if you wanna rock & roll, but The Exploders are showing every sign of making it with their second album 'Easy and the Sun', available through Rubber Records. Buy it from the iTunes Music Store Josh Owen Band - Can I Get a Witness. "A sexy fusion of cataclysmic soul rhythms and white hot funk." - Buzz Magazine. The Josh Owen Band have seen both their debut independent album and EP receive massive critical acclaim and airplay all over Australia. The CD are available for purchase from their web site. If you like the song, email the artist and let them know. Or, better still, buy a CD! Background music: Cargo Cult - 'Wed' (courtesy of Magnatune). Incidental music by Derek K. Miller. Technorati Tags: Rally Melbourne, Simon Evans, Neal Bates, Eli Evans, Dean Herridge, Michael Guest, Darren Windus, Brenden Reeves, Super 2000 Toyota Corolla, Super 2000 Ford Fiesta ARC, Australian Rally Championship, V8 Supercars, V8SC, Formula 1

Play Show, or Right-Click to Download Cody Crocker only needed to cross the start line to claim a second APRC title. But he went further, and while his rivals fell away during the opening day, Crocker powered on, not only taking APRC win, but the overall rally victory ahead of higher-profile European drivers. Unfortunately for the MRF team, China provided no joy. Katsu Taguchi crashed out during the first morning, while Jussi Valimaki and Gaurav Gill were forced to stop thanks to contaminated fuel. However China proved to be a treat for Brian Green, the only APRC driver, apart from Crocker, not to fall foul to the Chinese roads. He not only took second place on the podium, but also fourth for the series.

Play Show, or Right-Click to Download We take a look at this years unbelievable Rally Japan. Just when you thought Marcus Gronholm had handed Sebastien Loeb a third-straight series title, Loeb crashed. The attrition rate was high, giving some of the series less visible competitors the chance to shine. Mikko Hirvonen and Dani Sordo finished 1-2 for Ford and Citroen, while Henning Solberg and Matthew Wilson put in a great finish for Stobart, just ahead of Luis Perez Companc and Federico Villagra in the Munchis cars. Photos courtesy of Rally Japan. Music this week from: Lukas - Feels Like Home. Lukas have spent the last year at various locations along the coast of NSW crafting songs with honest lyrics, strong, soaring melodies and killer hooks. Their brand-new EP, 'You and Me', launches on November 3, and will be available from their web site. Two Loons For Tea - Monkey. Two Loons for Tea is a Seattle-based dream-pop super-group reminiscent of Zero 7 or Portishead. As a live group, "Two Loons for Tea could open for [anyone from] Tricky to Willie Nelson and chances are they'd win over either audience" (Lollipop Magazine). Two Loons For Tea is available through Sarathan Records, or Amazon.com. Javelinas - Seven Sisters. With a sound as vast at the Midwestern rust belt, Chicago’s Javelinas have crafted a traditionally familiar sound all their own. The new album 'Seven Sisters' (Kentland Records), follows up their 2005 debut 'Dirtbath', taps into the psyche and history of Midwestern hard-living truths. You can purchase 'Seven Sisters' from CD Baby. Background music: Cargo Cult - 'Fifth' and 'Helium' (courtesy of Magnatune). Incidental music by Derek K. Miller. If you like the song, email the artist and let them know. Or, better still, buy a CD! Technorati Tags: Rally Japan, Marcus Gronholm, Mikko Hirvonnen, Petter Solberg, Chris Atkinson, Sebastien Loeb, Francois Duval, Dani Sordo, Henning Solberg, ARC, Australian Rally Championship, V8 Supercars, V8SC

Play Show, or Right-Click to Download With a week off before Rally Japan, I thought now would be great time to catch up with Chris Atkinson. While the Subaru team will carry the weight of local expectation, Rally Japan is an event where Chris has had a fair degree of success. I caught up with him on Friday night, just as he and the rest of the Subaru World Rally Team were about to fly out of London for Hokkaido. Photo courtesy of the Subaru World Rally Team. Technorati Tags: Rally Japan, Subaru World Rally Team, Chris Atkinson, ARC, Australian Rally Championship, V8 Supercars, V8SC

Play Show, or Right-Click to Download The fourth-last rally of the WRC year, and Sebastien Loeb bags another one. But Marcus Gronholm wasn't letting the Frenchman out of his sight, and hung on for an important 2nd-place, Dani Sordo unable to challenge Gronholm. The championship could be decided by the performances of the Sordo and Hirvonnen, and whether they can 'steal' points from either Gronholm or Loeb. And 'Welcome to the WRC' Suzuki. The little white SX4 had a solid first outing; not too many problems and posting times near the top-10 all event. There's a really short video the Nicolas Bernardi in the SX4 up at YouTube. Photos courtesy of Rally Shots and Suzuki. Music this week from: Kick in the Can - Dan. Originally formed by Gregoire Nachbauer and Edouard Schmitt, the bands rhythm section was added in the form of Vincent Atlan and Thomas Flieg. The boys reside in Paris, and although they don't have a CD available at the moment, you can hear more of their tracks at their MySpace page. (Thanks to the PMN for providing the track). Nightshift - All Night Through. Gaël Benjamin & Jérôme Beuret share a common love of that 70's west coast American sound, and inspired by the Eagles, Steely Dan and Gerry Rafferty, they formed NightShift. Nightshift's debut album, 'Full Moon' is now available through Somekind Records, or iTunes. Stephane Pompougnac - This is the real Stephane Pompougnac, seen as an 'urban neo-aristocrat' in Italy, as a 'French signature DJ' in England, as Hotel Costes’ little prince turned 'Baroque Olympus' in Germany, and hailed worldwide as the icon of New French Sophistication. You can purchase Stephane's music from Amazon.com and the iTunes Music Store, and this track comes courtesy of Pschent Music. Background music: Cargo Cult - 'Fifth' and 'Helium' (courtesy of Magnatune). Incidental music by Derek K. Miller. If you like the song, email the artist and let them know. Or, better still, buy a CD! Technorati Tags: Rally France, Tour de Corse, Marcus Gronholm, Mikko Hirvonnen, Petter Solberg, Chris Atkinson, Sebastien Loeb, Francois Duval, Dani Sordo, Henning Solberg, ARC, Australian Rally Championship, V8 Supercars, V8SC

Play Show, or Right-Click to Download Sebastien Loeb was expected to do well here, and he didn't disappoint. But, if not for the leg one rain, Marcus Gronholm would have posed more of a threat, and with Dani Sordo claimed second place on the podium, Gronholm's series lead is now reduced down to six points. To see Chris Atkinson's two-wheel antics in Spain, have a look at the first couple of minutes of YouTube. Photos courtesy of Miquel Rovira. Plus we'll talk about the Bathurst 1000, and various bits of rally news. Music this week from: The Pepper Pots - You Love Her. The Pepper Pots formed in 2002 with the aim of bringing back the sound and style of the Jamaican bands of the 60s. Their 2nd CD, 'Shake It!' was released this year; a disc for dancing, listening to and going back to the era when ska, rocksteady, early reggae or soul were the pop music of the moment. Purchase their CDs from their web site, and you can hear more of their tunes on their MySpace page. Will Deynes - Superwonderful. "Often compared to bands like Dashboard Confessional, Snow Patrol and Jimmy Eat World, Wil's debut EP 'Stay' is a mixture of up-tempo commercial pop, that runs from laidback to hard-driving—and everything in between." You can purchase Wil's debut CD from CD Baby. Mubashir Noor - In Transit. The ex-'Corduroy' frontman is the first Pakistani musician we've had on the show. This track, 'In Transit', has been providing him with plenty of attention, and he's been nominated international category of the Toronto' Exclusive Magazine' Music Awards, which will be announced in a couple of weeks time. Check out more of his music at MySpace. Background music: Cargo Cult - 'Fifth' and 'Helium' (courtesy of Magnatune). Incidental music by Derek K. Miller. If you like the song, email the artist and let them know. Or, better still, buy a CD! Technorati Tags: Rally Spain, Marcus Gronholm, Mikko Hirvonnen, Petter Solberg, Chris Atkinson, Sebastien Loeb, Francois Duval, Dani Sordo, Henning Solberg, ARC, Australian Rally Championship, V8 Supercars, V8SC

Play Show, or Right-Click to Download Another round of the ARC, and another win for Toyota. Simon Evans didn't have things all his own way with Steve Glenney, Eli Evans and Spencer Lowndes providing some early resistance. But Evans and his Group N(P) Corolla are in a league of their own at the moment, walking away with the win as others faltered. Second place was a good return for Neal Bates, who's hard work on the S2000 Corolla is starting to pay off, while Spencer Lowndes out-smarted the faster cars around him and capture third for the event. Photos courtesy of Toyota Racing Development, Pirtek Rally Team and Redline Photographics. Music this week from: Lover - Never. Their 2007 debut release features the award winning (2006 ABC Newcastle Music Awards, Best Rock Performance), dance-floor-cutter, 'Never', which was recorded under the sonic guidance of Rob Taylor (The Whitlams, Screaming Jets, INXS). The CD is available from the bands MySpace page. Dirty Pink Jeans - Dance. The 4-piece from Melbourne are gigging locally during September and October. Check out dates at their MySpace page, and their 5-track EP is available for purchase here. Cassette Kids - Acrobat. Cassette Kids are an up and coming new wave, indie/dance band from Sydney. The Kids formed in early 2007 and strip their music back to its basics. The Kids are currently working on their debut EP, which will be hitting the stores and ready for consumption in early November. But in the mean time, you can hear more from Cassette Kids at their MySpace page. If you like the song, email the artist and let them know. Or, better still, buy a CD! Background music: Cargo Cult - 'Wed' (courtesy of Magnatune). Incidental music by Derek K. Miller. Technorati Tags: Rally NSW, Great Lakes Rally, Simon Evans, Neal Bates, Eli Evans, Dean Herridge, Michael Guest, Darren Windus, Brenden Reeves, Super 2000 Toyota Corolla, Super 2000 Ford Fiesta ARC, Australian Rally Championship, V8 Supercars, V8SC, Formula 1