Three on the Ones and Twos

From Tom Cheshire: This album to me is like an old film with Frank Sinatra in it. It is black and white and is up there with the best of 'em. It is a classic and there are certain times through out it, that the film is in color. I see the words painted on the screen in front of me. I see the words on walls and in the sky. I see Irish men and women coming into New York on a boat from overseas. I see and feel their struggle and pain and I see them almost happy. It is dark and haunting and sad and beautiful. It is poetry in motion, it is Poguetry in Motion. 

From Caroline Mask: It should come as no surprise that I would choose a Radiohead album for my episode but The Bends might be a bit unexpected.  While not my favorite Radiohead record, it was my introduction in the fall of 1995 to one of my top three favorite bands of all time and one which I still consider one of the most groundbreaking sophomore records ever.  It was Radiohead starting to dig their heels in and realize that they could and would reinvent themselves with every record they made.  Sulk and Black Star are my favorites.  I have loved so many people in my life through this band and a live Radiohead show is the closest thing to a spiritual experience I will ever have.  Just the best. 

This record means a lot to me, as will become abundantly apparent if you decide to listen to or watch this episode. It came out when I was 17 years old, and the way it hit me was magical. It was music that I felt I had always wanted to hear, but it didn’t exist until this album was created. I’m going to let the episode speak for itself, but this record and this band mean a lot to me, as a musician and as a human, and I hope my enthusiasm for it will turn other people on to it. Enjoy, shitkickers. 🤘🏼

-Billy C. Robinson

I chose Persona Non Grata by Exodus, as it is honestly one of my new favorite albums of all time. It is such a strong and bludgeoning return since the return of Steve "Zetro" Souza and the release of "Blood In, Blood Out" in 2014.  After significant delay due to Gary Holt stepping into the late Jeff Hanneman's shoes of Slayer and of course the pandemic, the album is absolute sonic and thrash perfection. Exodus has always been one to capture the signs of the times,encapsulate major occurrences and tackle subject matter deemed too dark for many others, always to great effect. What makes Exodus great and the Thrash titans they always have been is on full display on this record. From Persona Non Grata to Antiseed, this record fucking slams and is a MUST listen for any fan of Exodus or the Thrash genre as a whole. 

Hails! - Matthew Darrow

I chose Extras by The Jam as it’s always been my favorite album of theirs and I think it’s so underrated. It beautifully captures their range from punk to mod to the influence of Motown and how Paul took that to the Style Council. It has great stripped down versions of some of their harder songs like Eton Rifles and Thick as Thieves, which has a little flub that makes it feel so vulnerable. The rawness of Paul in these versions lets you hear just how talented he is as a songwriter and also how British he is. It’s a perfect collection of unreleased tracks, covers, and rarities. Also, the first time I met Cassy we bonded over our shared love for The Jam and listened to this album and gushed all over it - Brenda Hall.

From Anna Kramer: When James asked me if I’d like to talk about Faces on “Three on the Ones and Twos”, I was excited because no one’s ever asked me to talk about them before. They’re such a huge influence on me but I don’t know if that’s something you can really hear in my songs and/or guitar playing. I picked the album “A Nod Is As Good As a Wink... to a Blind Horse” because it’s the album of theirs I’ve played over and over again. It’s my go-to, and though I love every band members performance on the album, it’s really all about Ron Wood for me. His guitar sound inspires and motivates me. Thanks Ronnie and thanks James, Cassy and Tom, for asking me to nerd out about it with y’all! Enjoy. 

From Timo: In the intro to EAV Rudio I explain that “Everybody loves ska, some people just don’t know it yet.”  You can see this is true when everyone from my local friend Nanci Agetro to international superstars Peter Dinklage and Oscar Isaac has been in a ska band.  But I’ll add a caveat: everyone loves ska once they figure out where they fit in the world of ska.  Is it current music (please don’t say 4th wave, just don’t) or is it all the way back to its origins in Jamaica long before I was born?  Maybe it's my personal doorway through the 3rd wave in the Skasplosion of the 90s.  Or the final option: the 2nd wave out of England that stormed the shores of the US in the late 70s/early 80s.  2nd wave rudies will  understand what I am about to say, if not, there is no better introduction and summary to that time period than the ever-popular Dance Craze.  Some of the most influential bands of the scene ‘picking it up’ on this two record release.  And although there may be one or two bands missing, find out all about it when I discuss this iconic album with the Three On The Ones and Twos crew.

From Timo: In the intro to EAV Rudio I explain that “Everybody loves ska, some people just don’t know it yet.”  You can see this is true when everyone from my local friend Nanci Agetro to international superstars Peter Dinklage and Oscar Isaac has been in a ska band.  But I’ll add a caveat: everyone loves ska once they figure out where they fit in the world of ska.  Is it current music (please don’t say 4th wave, just don’t) or is it all the way back to its origins in Jamaica long before I was born?  Maybe it's my personal doorway through the 3rd wave in the Skasplosion of the 90s.  Or the final option: the 2nd wave out of England that stormed the shores of the US in the late 70s/early 80s.  2nd wave rudies will  understand what I am about to say, if not, there is no better introduction and summary to that time period than the ever-popular Dance Craze.  Some of the most influential bands of the scene ‘picking it up’ on this two record release.  And although there may be one or two bands missing, find out all about it when I discuss this iconic album with the Three On The Ones and Twos crew.

This was Casey Yarbrough's pick as our latest guest. In his words, here's why he picked it... I chose Sick of it All because that album always delivers when whatever mood strikes. From being tired of everything in this world, to the camaraderie of my best buds drinking all night. Here’s to 27+ more years of better moods than worse! - Casey Yarbrough 

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We are doing something special - just yesterday the Three on the Ones and Twos crew sat down with TT Mahoney and Jeffrey Butzer to discuss the 1965 soundtrack to the Charlie Brown Christmas special by the Vince Guaraldi Trio, and also their upcoming shows celebrating this album and the holiday season at the EARL on December 10, 11, 12 (must be 21 or older - tickets available HERE), Madlife Studios in Woodstock on December 14th (all ages - tickets available HERE) and the  40 Watt Club in Athens on December 16th (also all ages - tickets available HERE). This is a "bonus episode" with no YouTube video so it can be a quick turnaround, and TT and Butz both share some great stories with us that couldn't be told on WABE or anywhere else, hence the explicit content button is pushed. So thanks TT Mahoney and Jeffrey Butzer for their beautiful music, Brian Colantuno and Trackside Tavern for their hospitality, PBR and Jameson for the drinks, Matt Darrow for camera work, Greg Pettay and Brian Kincheloe for post production, Billy Inman as Executive Producer and spiritual advisor. And you, the listener of course!