Only Three Lads - Classic Alternative Music Podcast

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

We gather here once more to celebrate some of the finest new independent music on the planet! This week, you'll hear a six pack of fresh tune from: Ryli - 'Bad July' (from Come and Get Me, Dandy Boy Records) Kevin Robertson - 'We Found The Summer' Daniella Binyamin - 'Without Breaking Apart' The Spongetones - 'Help Me Janie' (from The 40th Anniversary Concert...and Beyond ) Museums - 'In Waves' Proud members of the Pantheon Podcasts family. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Based on his experiences on both sides of the record store counter, Peter Holsapple lovingly pokes a little fun at obsessive music nerds on a track from his new solo album : "I got A Love Supreme / I got a Soft Machine / I got the Dave Clark Five / I got Slade Alive / I got a Shonen Knife / I got Repeat When Necessary, Repeat When Necessary. I'm that kind of guy!" Yep, we're those kind of guys...and fortunately Peter is too, because he is our Third Lad this week! This week's discussion revolves around our Top 5 Debut Solo Albums - in other words, the first album released by an artist apart from or after their well known group. While you'd have to go back to 1997 for Peter Holsapple's official debut solo album, he's arguably just released his best yet - The Face of 68, out now on Label 51 Recordings. It's a tight, lean, rocking affair that finds the dB's singer/songwriter's knack for melody and songcraft still incredibly sharp after roughly 50 years of making records. Along with a deep dive into The Face of 68, we also chat about his proto-punk beginnings with Little Diesel, being shown how it's done by the legendary Alex Chilton, life on the road with R.E.M. and Hootie and the Blowfish, supergroup collectives the Continental Drifters, the Salt Collective, and the Big Star Quintet, and the flurry of dB's related activity including Propeller Sound Recordings reissue campaign and 2024's reunion shows. The Face of 68: https://peter-holsapple.bandcamp.com/album/the-face-of-68 O3L Podperks: https://onlythreelads.codeadx.me Thanks to Wendy Brynford-Jones from Hello Wendy PR for the introduction and coordination! Proudly Pantheon Podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How tough was it to pick our "album bookends" this week (that is, albums that have a great first and last track)? You could say that's impossible, that's im-poss-i-ble. But, fortunately, we're everywhere that you are! We're un-alone for this discussion, because (if you couldn't have guessed) we have guitarist/singer/songwriter Steve Barton and drummer Dave Scheff from one of the best American bands of the '80s, Translator! Translator released four excellent albums for 415/Columbia: Heartbeats and Triggers (1982), No Time Like Now (1983), Translator (1985), and Evening of the Harvest (1986). At the end of their initial run, they played a final gig at the Farm in their home base of San Francisco. Captured on a cassette, nearly 40 years later, that incendiary live set is out for the first time on download, LP, or CD as Beyond Today: Live at the Farm San Francisco: 1986. from Liberation Hall. https://translatorlive.bandcamp.com As an added treat for fans, Beyond Today also contains two brand new Translator songs, "These Days to Come" and "With Your Dreams", both wonderfully mixed by Ed Stasium. Special thanks to Randy Haecker from Prime Mover Media for the introduction and coordination! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We've got a sumptuous six pack of swoonworthy new tunes to kick off your weekend! 1) Amelia & The Housewives - 'Maybe' (single, Damaged Goods) 2) Last Tourist - 'Slowly Fade' (single, 1991recordings) 3) Splitsville - 'I Hate Going to Hutzler's' (from the LP Mobtown, Big Stir Records) 4) Lammping & Bloodshot Bill - 'Never Never' (from the LP Never Never, We Are Busy Bodies) 5) Jeanines - 'What's Lost' (single, Skep Wax Records / from the LP How Long Can It Last, Slumberland Records) 6) Nah - 'Summer Follows Spring' (from the LP Koffers Collected) Also, we are pleased to present the newest O3L PodPerk - 41% off at https://cozyearth.com!  Cozy Earth sells the most luxurious, comfortable sheets, bedding, loungewear, pajamas, hoodies, sweaters, robes and more.  Their cool and comfy bamboo sheets are so incredible that they were honored as one of "Oprah’s Favorite Things".  Use promo code O3L to start saving! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Get ready to do the "Lube the Anaconda and the Candle" (or maybe just a more sensible Twist or Watusi), as we hit the floor with songs that are about, inspired, or mention dance crazes. Joining us for all sorts of "idiot dancing" is the triumphant return of Barry Andrews to O3L! During Barry's last appearance in E246, we talked about his career spanning from the early days of Swindon's finest, XTC, to Iggy and Fripp, to Shriekback's extensive and ambitious catalogue. This time, we have more cause for celebration, as the new Shriekback album, MONUMENT, is out now, and is among his finest releases! He's not shouting at you...or is he?!? Plus, we've got a brand new O3L game for you - "Dancing with Ourselves." Do you have what it takes to go up against Barry and Uncle Gregg to name dance craze related songs? This is a fun one, kids. Now let's do all 16 dances! Proud members of the Pantheon Podcasts family. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices