Center Stage: An Abandoned Albums Podcast

Bis are a Scottish indie pop band composed of Steven Clark (Sci-Fi Steven), John Clark (John Disco), and Amanda MacKinnon (Manda Rin), formed in 1994. The band's name, rhymes with 'this.' The name originates from the song "Black Iron Skyline" by The The. The three musicians formed Bis in late 1994 while Rin and Disco were in secondary school,Woodfarm High School, and Steven, who had recently finished there. After releasing their first singles, Transmissions On The Teen-C Tip! and Disco Nation 45 the following year, they appeared on BBC Television's Top of the Pops in 1996, performing "Kandy Pop" from their The Secret Vampire Soundtrack EP - ahead of its release.  After releasing numerous cult EPs and three studio albums (1997's The New Transistor Heroes, 1999's Social Dancing, and 2001's Return To Centr,al) the band broke up in 203, but re-formed briefly in 2007 for a series of concerts. In 2009 thce again re-formed (adding a bass player and a drummer to the band lineup) and released the album data Panik etcetera in 2014.  The album Slight Disconnects was released in February 2,019 with the band lineup returning to the original core three-piece. An archival album, Music For Animations, consisting of music recorded in 2004 fthe or CBBC kids TV show BB3B, was released in 2020. In 2021 the band self-released a cassette-only live album entitled The Fan Club Tapes Vol. 1 - Live In Toulouse 1997 (their second self-released live album after Play Some Real Songs in 2001). Low Level (A Return To Central Travel Companion) - a CD consisting of previously unreleased material recorded during the Return To Central sessions - was also released in 2021.  In October 2022, Systems Music For Home Defence was released, which Sci-Fi Steven has described as the band's "rave" album.   LINKS Bis on Bandcamp Bis on YouTube Polyphonic: Riot Grrrl: The '90s Movement that Redefined Punk Grand Royal Records The The Huggy Bear - Band Super Furry Animals BB3B SNL Sketch: ”If it’s not Scottish, it's crap.”

What can be said about Jimmy Ashhurst?  Rock–n-roll troubadour? CHECK Bass player with creative wanderlustlust? CHECK Rock Star? CHECK Nice guy? CHECK Great storyteller? CHECK Musical Ambassador? CHECK Geopolitical operative? HUH? Jimmy returns to Abandoned Albums to chat up Izzy Stradlin and the Ju Ju Hounds. A record firmly embedded on Keith’s desert island list. Jimmy’s also holds the distinction (such as it is) as appearing on another of the albums on Keith's list - Broken Homes debut album.  Izzy Stradlin and the Ju Ju Hounds is a great rock and roll record. Had it been released in 1974 as opposed to 1992, there is NO doubt that band would be legendary. But alas, it twas not to be… the album still kicks a high degree of ass!! LINKS Shuffle It All Video Interview with Melody Lane What happened to the Ju Ju Hounds? Ju Ju Hounds Wiki 2 Fast 2 Die - Jimmy Ashhurst Wind of Change Podcast Ginger Wildheart Charlie Quintana Rick Richards Izzy Stradlin  

The Shootouts create “country music for people who don’t like country.”  Keith, Geoff, and Rufus can confirm.  They got a chance to chat about The Shootouts when lead singer, guitarist, and chief shooter Ryan Humbert stopped by Thunderlove Studio.  The band didn’t expect to be back in the studio so soon after the release of their Top 10 Americana album Bullseye. But when one of country music’s most legendary artists agrees to produce your next record, you don’t say no.   That’s what happened when a mutual friend introduced the band to Ray Benson –  longtime frontman and 10-time Grammy-winning founder of Asleep at the Wheel. Just months after the April 2021 release of Bullseye, the Shootouts found themselves hard at work with Benson and co-producer Sam Seifert on the album that would become Stampede.   While it may have come together quickly, the sessions resulted in the group’s strongest album yet. Again, Keith, Geoff, and Rufus can confirm.   Stampede is steeped in all things country music – an energetic fusion of Americana, honky tonk and Western swing that will leave you craving more. Not only are the The Shootouts four members front and center, but the list of artists who stopped by to contribute is like an Americana fans wet dream: Asleep at the Wheel (in addition to Ray Benson producing) Buddy Miller Jim Lauderdale Raul Malo (of The Mavericks)  And the legendary Marty Stuart This is a great conversation with a great guy about a great band that has a great album queued up and ready to drop on February 24. Listen as Keith, Geoff, and Ryan talk about all, and we mean ALL, kinds of things. This is a gud’un folks!  Put on your helmet and strap yourselves in! LINKS(the stuff we mention or refer to in the episode) The Shootouts The Shootouts Tour 2023 Country Cast - News Story Jason Isbell Quits CMA   The Shootouts at Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame The Shootouts at Music Box Supper Club  Music Box Supper Club Website Chuck Mead The Mavericks Raul Malo Asleep at the Wheel Ray Benson The Americana Round-Up Radio Show The Summit Radio Station Big Chuck and Little John Michael Stanley Donnie Iris

The Pauses released their first album, A Cautionary Tale, in 2011 through New Granada Records. The band recorded the album with producer J. Robbins of Jawbox fame in Baltimore, MD, at The Magpie Cage.  Lead singer Tierney Tough stopped by Thunderlove Studios to chat with Geoff and Keith about The Pauses and take a deep dive into their second album - Unbuilding - from 2018. Like its predecessor, it was produced by J. Robbins of Jawbox. Said BrooklynVegan of the release: “…it’s got a little of the off-kilter mathy guitars of the DC/Dischord scene that birthed J Robbins, plus bouncy Mates of States-y synths, and singer Tierney Tough has a delightfully dry delivery that brings to mind Speedy Ortiz or Liz Phair.” - can confirm. A great interview was had. Give it a listen, you'll see... and you'll fall in love with The Pauses. Just ask Geoff. LINKS The Pauses on Bandcamp The Pauses on Facebook The Pauses website Live on Audiotree Tierney Tough Solo Flickchart.com Unbuilding by David Macaulay Brutalism Charles and Ray Eames  The Architect and the Painter Documentary  Clara Rockmore Jawbox David Cross Henderson Valley Eggs The Bird Machine Dianogah (band) Flatstock Mock Orange Band Slothrust (band)

WELCOME TO SEASON 4 Comin in HOT!! Keith & Geoff sit down with Steve Brooks of both Torche and Floor.  Torche was formed in 2004 and has released five full-length studio albums, four EPs, two split albums, and three singles. They released their fifth full-length studio album, Admission, on July 12, 2019. In May 2022, founding frontman Steve Brooks announced the upcoming tour supporting Meshuggah would be his last with the band, stating, “We’re a few months away from the last tour I’m doing with Torche," he writes: "We’ve been so very lucky and went far beyond what I imagined. I just don’t have it in me to keep this going, living on opposite sides of the country. Much love to my band members and everyone that supported us these 18 years!” We got to talk to him! LINKS Torch Website Torch Wiki Floor (the band) Wiki Torch “Collateral Damage” Video Torch “Annihilation Affair” Video “Bat Pisses In Torche Guitarists Eye” - Pitchfork  Robotic Empire Records Volcom Entertainment "The only music podcast that matters."

So, this is the last episode for our third season... and it's the final episode of 2022.   We could think of no better way to go out than having our old friend Ronnie Barnett stop by and Geoff Calhoun pop 'round to discuss one of our all-time favorite bands - the MIGHTY VAN HALEN!! The question of what version of the band is better - the one with David Lee Roth or the one with Sammy Hagar - has been a topic of discussion for fans of the band for over 35 years now. Now, no disrespect intended, but the Gary Cherone version didn't make the cut. Obviously, this topic is wildly subjective and wickedly charged depending on how many drinks you've had... and your audience. The lads make no attempt to solve the question about which lead singer did it best, but they do take a look at one album from the Roth era, Women and Children First, and one from the Hagar era, 5150. Under the watchful eye of EP Rufus Thunderlove, they kept it both civil and fun. Remember to have a few drinks this holiday season and spark this Van Halen conversation with your music friends. What could go wrong? Abandoned Albums will return with a shiny new episode on January 11, 2023. Thank you ALL for everything this year. From Thunderlove Manor and Thunderlove Studios, we wish you all a very happy holiday season.  LINKS Ronnie Barnett on IG Geoff Calhoun on IG Sammy and The Circle on Howard Stern (2019) Kids Reaction Video to “Eruption” David Lee Roth on Good Morning America  (1985) Dave Pissed Off at Van Halen (1986) David Lee Roth Interview with Steve Rosen (1980)  Absurd TV Performance of “And the Cradle Will Rock” (1980 - American Bandstand) David Lee Roth Vocal Track from “Runnin’ With the Devil” David Lee Roth on Opie and Anthony (2105?) DLR on cultural impact of Van Halen (2019)

One year ago, I hit “Publish Now” on the first episode of Abandoned Albums. I had no idea what I was doing. Fortunately, I learned rather quickly, and over the past year, the show has evolved into what it is now a pretty damn good podcast.  Luckier still is that I didn’t do too much to this episode because it was still pretty damn good! The origin of Abandoned Albums is found here on this inaugural episode’s album selection - the 1986 debut record by the LA-based band Broken Homes.  This self-titled debut captures Broken Homes at that perfect moment. A band with all the talent (as witnessed by what everyone did after the band's dissolution) and momentum going for them. Unfortunately, they didn’t have what was needed most, the support of a good rock and roll record label. If the band had been signed to Geffen Records instead of MCA Records, I am 1000% confident; I would not be writing this now. [Listen to the Steve Isaacs episode to hear a funny acronym of what MCA stands for.] When Broken Homes stepped into the studio with producer Jeff Eyrich, the band was undoubtedly firing on all cylinders. You’ll have to listen to the podcast to find out why one member didn’t make the grade for Eyrich despite this. The guy wasn’t fired; they just brought in a studio wizard to cover his part. Sorry, no spoilers… ya gotta listen. The energy and excitement are palpable throughout the record, but if you need proof, listen to “It’s All Over Now” - arguably, one of the better album closers. Check out the full article over on our Substack - sign up while you're there! LINKS: Jimmy Ashhurst on Instagram Craig Ross on Instagram Mike Doman Craig Aaronson - Obituary from Alternative Press Jeff Eyrich Broken Homes on Spotify “Steeltown Bluestown” Video Michael Goldstone Linda Draper (Produced by Jeff Eyerich) Broken Homes: An Album You Should Know

Blinker the Star is Jordon Zadorozny, and Jordon Zadorozny is Blinker the Star. The Canadian solo artist has created eleven albums (both major label and indie) and worked with musicians as varied as Leland Sklar (bass player with the big bushy grey beard... you know him), Ken Andrews, and one of his childhood heroes, Lindsey Buckingham (a couple of great stories in the podcast... no spoilers).  Jordon spent some time in Los Angeles in the 90s, recording the Dreamworks album August Everywhere. While in LA he even lent a helping hand to Courtney Love with  Hole's album Celebrity Skin. It's a testament to his strength that he survived both.  Jordon remains artistically active, having just released Love Oblast, and is a producer working from his studio Skylark Studio in Pembroke, Ontario. Jordon stopped by Thunderlove Sutdio to talk to Keith and Geoff about all things Blinker the Star... and how he got his hero Lindsey Buckingham to share writing credit with him. Check it out! Links Blinker the Star on Bandcamp Blinker the Star on Spotify Jordon Z on IG Blinker the Star on IG Blinker the Star on YouTube Skylark Park Studio Geoff Calhouns Blinker the Star Spotify Playlist Kellii Scott Lusk Band Failure (the band)  Ken Andrews

On this episode of Abandoned Albums, Steve Isaacs stopped by Thunderlove Studios to chat about his career. Now Steve is one of those guys who generate positivity. After paying dues on the coffee house circuit in Los Angeles in the early 90s (that he helped create), he packed up and moved east to become a VJ at MTV right when grunge broke.  From there, he auditioned - and got the gig - for a tour of a broadway play (no spoilers, you gotta listen). And then, he fronted his band, Skycycle. A band named after the rocket that Evel Knievel (Wile E. Coyote personified ) tried to jump over the Snake River. Skycyle released one EP - Breathing Water - and one LP - Ones and Zeros. And then fronting another band with ¾ of Jane’s Addiction… while keeping a day job!   Steve Isaacs has one helluva work ethic and a whole lot of creativity.  And he’s a super nice guy! Listen for yourself! Steve Isaacs Web Site Skycycle The Panic Channel Evel Kinevel on Jim Roma

Geoff Calhoun joins Keith as they talk with Matt Mahaffey, the frontman and visionary behind the band sElf... and so much more. Oh, trust us, you know Matt's work.  Matt Mahaffey grew up in Kingsport, Tennessee, and started writing songs and playing the drums at age 4. He would often perform with his brother, Mike Mahaffey when they were growing up.  By age eleven, he played drums at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge. In the mid-nineties, he moved to Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and attended MTSU. He lived and worked for ten years in Murfreesboro, where he co-founded Spongebath Records and formed the band sElf in 1994.  In the early 2000s, Mahaffey relocated to Los Angeles.  Matt has performed with and produced artists like Pink, Beck, Liz Phair, Tenacious D, Snoop Dogg, Beyoncé, Keith Urban, and on and on and on. He has also worked with various filmmakers, including Ivan Reitman, Michael Mann, Jeffrey Katzenberg, Andrew Adamson, & Hans Zimmer (for film score).  He's also written jingles and composed music for Pedigree, Jumbone, Medicare, and Lexus. His music has been featured on numerous shows, including CSI: Miami, DanceLife, Entourage, MTV, E! Entertainment, Dirty Sexy Money, Weeds, and 60 Minutes. You get the idea.  He's done a lot. LINKS Matt Mahaffey Matt’s TED Talk John Mullaney on Murfreesboro The Dead Deads The Gherms They Might Be Giants Kane Churko Shrek Blackfish Band Bizzare States Podcast Letterkenny