Only Three Lads - Classic Alternative Music Podcast

Anything is possible as we welcome power pop icon Chris Stamey from the dB's as our Third Lad! Our focus topic is on the producers of the O3L era - the sonic architects that carry out the visions of the artists we love and shape the sound of our favorite records. And Chris Stamey is someone who knows, as he's produced some fantastic records over the years, including albums by Pylon, Whiskeytown, Le Tigre, The Butchies, Alejandro Escovedo, and many more. Of course, that's only scratching the surface of Chris's amazing 50 year career, from releasing one of the earliest DIY indie records (Sneakers) to playing with Alex Chilton in the late '70s to being one of the creative forces in the seminal, era-defining band the dB's, to his fruitful solo career, a radio play, a songwriting memoir, and working with over 100 artists including fellow dB and recent O3L guest Peter Holsapple, Yo La Tengo, Freedy Johnston, The Golden Palominos, and more recently with The Salt Collective and Jody Stephens' Big Star Quintet. We chat with Chris about his gorgeous new album, Anything Is Possible, the influence of Brian Wilson, Alex Chilton, Tin Pan Alley, and the Lemon Twigs, the essence of being Chris Stamey, and the enduring legacy of producers like Martin Hannett, Martin Rushent, John Leckie, Scott Litt, Mitch Easter, Joe Foster, Steve Albini, Rick Rubin, Gil Norton, John Fry, Chris Thomas, and more. During this episode, you will hear: Chris Stamey - "Anything Is Possible" Chris Stamey - "Meet Me In Midtown" The Salt Collective - "Last Day We're Young"  Thanks to Howard Wuelfing from Howlin' Wuelf Media for the introduction and coordination. Proud members of the Pantheon Podcasts family. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, it's just "boys talking" (or lads conversing, if you will), as we welcome the sublime singer-songwriter Will Dailey as our Third Lad. Will has spent the past two decades perfecting a style that is not beholden to any one particular genre or set of influences, incorporating rock, folk, psych, funk, blues, and melodic pop into a catalogue where the songs always speak for themselves. Over the years, he's performed extensively with Eddie Vedder, played alongside Peter Buck, opened for the Wallflowers, performed multiple times at Farm Aid, and has had many songs placed in TV shows from 90210 to CSI and movies like the animated hit Barnyard. Now, Will has released his killer seventh record, and arguably his best yet, Boys Talking. But you won't find this gem on Spotify or Apple Music...this is not an album to simply stream and forget. Savor it on vinyl, CD, cassette, or digital through https://willdailey.bandcamp.com. We ask Will about the new record, from the single "Send Some Energy" to the infectious romp should-be-smash "Alright Already." You won't hear the latter on streaming services...but you will hear it here on O3L! Of course, we also delve into our focus topic this week, our Top 5 Singer-Songwriter Albums of the '80s. While "singer-songwriter" may instantly conjure up visions of troubadours with acoustic guitars like James Taylor, Jackson Browne, or Cat Stevens, we redefine the term for the high-tech '80s. Special thanks to Karen Allison from Propeller Sound Recordings for the introduction. Proudly part of the Pantheon Podcasts family. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We are thrilled to welcome one of the seminal figures of alternative music - David J. Haskins (Bauhaus, Love & Rockets, solo). O3L's Brett Vargo chats with David J about his new poetry book, Rhapsody, Threnody & Prayer, and the accompanying album of five of the poems set to music, The Mother Tree. There are plenty of new tales to tell! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’re in a New York State of Mind.  Sure, L.A. has beaches and sun, San Francisco clings onto its peace and love vibes, Chicago oozes the blues, and these make for remarkable settings for great songs, but New York…New York is something different.  She’s an active participant in the music, the protagonist, the antagonist, a vessel for vibrancy, romance, drama, grit, grime, decay, revitalization, glamour, hope.  The American dream.  From street corner doo woo groups to Bleeker Street folkies to CBGB punks to Brooklyn indie rock hopefuls, New York has long had a story to tell through the eyes, minds, and voices of the artists who chronicle her, some of whom are intrinsically intertwined with heartbeat of the city.  One of the finest ever to do it is undoubtedly the man we are fortunate enough to call our Third Lad.  After coming up in the New York folk clubs of the early '70s and the punk clubs of the latter half of the decade, Willie Nile released his self titled debut album on Arista in 1980 to rave reviews, with Stereo Review naming it the album of the year right alongside The Clash’s London Calling also earning him a handpicked slot opening for The Who on their 1980 U.S. tour.  After two more major label records, Willie has released a series of acclaimed indie releases, including 2006’s Streets Of New York, 2013’s American Ride, 2020’s New York At Night, and 2021’s The Day The Earth Stood Still.  He’s now back with his first 15th studio album and 21st LP overall, The Great Yellow Light, a passionate, anthemic blend of thundering rockers and sensitive ballads.  It’s a stellar addition to a brilliant and literate catalogue that has thrilled Willie Nile ardent fans and friends such as Bruce Springsteen, Bono, Lou Reed, Ian Hunter, Graham Parker, Lucinda Williams, and Little Steven.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pinch, punch, first of the month. White rabbit, white rabbit. Blowing cinnamon out of your front door. So superstition goes, these are all rituals that bring luck and prosperity for the month ahead. Might we suggest one more? How about starting your month off with a six pack of great new tunes from your friends at Only Three Lads? Let's kick off August with music by: The Wind-Ups - "(That's Just My) Dream Girl" (from the forthcoming LP Confection, Dandy Boy Records) The Cords - "Fabulist" (from the forthcoming LP The Cords, Skep Wax / Slumberland Records) The Flashcubes - "The Sweet Spot" (single, Big Stir Records) Robin Schell - "Simple Explanation" (from Pop Aid 3: A Pop Compilation to Benefit Those Affected by the California Wildfires, Kool Kat Musik) Beta Trip - "On My Mind" (from the forthcoming LP Superette, Having Fun Records) Fischer-Z - "Too Much" (from the forthcoming LP PUNKT!) Thank you for supporting new music! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The music business from the late '60s through the '90s was an exciting time that mirrored the music and the musicians making it. It was also a time of new and creative ideas on how to market this groundbreaking cultural phenomenon. Eccentric characters were everywhere, and often the managers, promoters, disc jockeys, and record company staff were just as big a show as the performers themselves. And nobody was bigger and better in promoting rock records than Rap. Paul "Rap" Rappaport enjoyed a storied (and very appropriate) 33 1/3 year career in rock promotion at Columbia Records, where he was instrumental in the careers of an amazing roster of legends, including Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Pink Floyd, The Rolling Stones, Elvis Costello, Billy Joel, Blue Oyster Cult, Judas Priest, Alice In Chains, and many, many more. Gliders Over Hollywood: Airships, Airplay and the Art of Rock Promotion is Rap's dynamic, entertaining memoir captures the magic of these times and the people who made it happen, revealing the never-before-heard secrets of the promotion and marketing that turned the music industry on its head. From creating the Pink Floyd airship to sword-fighting with Bruce Dickinson of Iron Maiden and receiving a guitar lesson from Keith Richards, it’s a book packed full of extraordinary adventures with some of the biggest names in rock. This week, Rap joins us as our Third Lad to recount the wild tales of his Top 5 Album Rollouts. These are stories you have to hear (or read) to believe! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

And now for something completely different...in this special episode, we pay tribute to the late, great Ozzy Osbourne and each pick five of our favorite songs from the rock legend's career. So you may ask yourself, why are we doing an Ozzy episode on our classic alternative music podcast? We certainly don't want to be "those guys" who churn out opportunistic memorial episodes - but, quite simply, Uncle Gregg suggested "hey, we should do an Ozzy tribute" and Brett said "OK, let's do it." That's the way decisions are made here at O3L Headquarters...and six hours later, the episode is out to the world.  John "Ozzy" Osbourne passed away on July 22, 2025, at the age of 76, a little more than two weeks after his final performance at the Back to the Beginning farewell concert, a massive show that featured a who’s who of heavy metal musicians, culminating in a five song Ozzy solo set and a four song finale from Black Sabbath.  Ozzy, of course, rose to prominence as the lead singer of Birmingham rock band Black Sabbath from the time of their formation in 1969 until his dismissal in 1979. Considered one of (if not THE) most influential bands in the evolution of heavy metal, Sabbath also consisted of guitarist Tony Iommi, bassist Geezer Butler, and drummer Bill Ward, releasing a string of classic albums like Black Sabbath (1970), Paranoid (1970), Master of Reality (1971), Vol. 4 (1972), Sabbath Bloody Sabbath (1973), Sabotage (1975), Technical Ectasy (1976), Never Say Die (1978) before Ozzy launched a fruitful solo career. Solo records include 1980’s Blizzard of Ozz, 1981’s Diary of a Madman, 1983’s Bark at the Moon, and 1991’s No More Tears, intertwined with occasional Black Sabbath reunions, most notably their 2013 album 13. Osbourne remained at the forefront of pop culture through his popular Ozzfest tours and his unlikely stint as a lovable TV Dad on the reality show The Osbournes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In music, experimentalism is more than just "that one time in college." This week, we cover the albums that dared to be different, were fearless in their pursuit of breaking new ground, and subverted traditional expectations of what music should sound like. The spirit of experimental music is alive and well on The Sound, the debut solo album by guitarist, cellist, composer producer, arranger, painter, and educator Knox Chandler. This project is a musical memoir depicting the shift in his surroundings from the urbanism of New York, London, and Berlin to the serene rural setting of the Connecticut shoreline. Through 10 diaristic and transportative soundscapes, The Sound incorporates Knox's "Soundribbon" style of meditative, powerfully cinematic guitar, accompanied by upright bass and percussion, and is paired with a book of paintings, sketches, and writings. You no doubt have heard Knox Chandler's work throughout a career that has spanned four decades, as a member of The Psychedelic Furs, Siouxsie & The Banshees, Cyndi Lauper's band, and The Golden Palominos. He's also played, composed, produced, and arranged on dozens of records including REM's Automatic For The People, Depeche Mode's Exciter, David Gahan's Paper Monsters, Paula Cole's Harbinger, and many more. Special thanks to Howard Wuelfing from Howlin' Wuelf Media for the introduction and coordination. Proud members of the Pantheon Podcasts family. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

**PART TWO** Be sure to listen to E282 if you haven't heard the first part! It's better to travel to the kaleidoscope world of 1973 when you can breakout with great Third Lads. What, too subtle for ya?!? This week, we enter the twilight world of Swing Out Sister - Corinne Drewery and Andy Connell! Along with discussing some of our favourite songs from 1973, we are are also celebrating the release of the new Cherry Red Records box set Certain Shades Of Limelight, a beautifully curated 8 CD box set covering the vibrant and soulful evolution of iconic British pop sophisticates Swing Out Sister. Spanning the years 1994 to 2004, the definitive collection captures a golden decade of musical exploration, refinement and reinvention. Included are the group's five albums released during that time period and three bonus discs packed with B-sides, 7" versions, rare mixes, instrumentals, alternate versions, soundtrack versions, and sought-after edits. During part two of our conversation with Corinne and Andy: Who was that peculiar woman digging through the dumpster? Salamanders (or "salamandas" as the case may be)! 7-inch Little Willy shame (don't worry, you're among friends)! Bonding with Bernie Taupin and Rod Temperton! Drive-in madness! ...and our top three picks for Songs of 1973. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

**PART ONE** It's better to travel to the kaleidoscope world of 1973 when you can breakout with great Third Lads. What, too subtle for ya?!? This week, we enter the twilight world of Swing Out Sister - Corinne Drewery and Andy Connell! Along with discussing some of our favourite songs from 1973, we are are also celebrating the release of the new Cherry Red Records box set Certain Shades Of Limelight, a beautifully curated 8 CD box set covering the vibrant and soulful evolution of iconic British pop sophisticates Swing Out Sister. Spanning the years 1994 to 2004, the definitive collection captures a golden decade of musical exploration, refinement and reinvention. Included are the group's five albums released during that time period and three bonus discs packed with B-sides, 7" versions, rare mixes, instrumentals, alternate versions, soundtrack versions, and sought-after edits. During part one of our conversation, Corinne and Andy give us the run down on the box set, plus... What do George Michael, Elton John, and Andy's mum have in common? Were Andy & Corinne the original Jay-Z & Beyonce? Breaking into the marching band and Chicago stepping worlds! What living soul icon did Uncle Gregg kill off? Big bands...and bigger bands! How did Corinne get her signature bob? Why Swing Out Sister's cinematic music may not be soundtracking films anytime soon. ...and our #5 & #4 picks for Songs of 1973. Don't worry, we won't make you play the waiting game too long (last Swing Out Sister pun for now, we promise)...Part 2 drops on Thursday, July 17th! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices