Only Three Lads - Classic Alternative Music Podcast

Well, geez, you caught us feeling all nostalgic and celebratory. It's time for the landmark 300th episode of Only Three Lads! During this episode, you'll hear: Your messages! A special visit from the original Third Lad...Bueno! New music from Tony Valentino, The Goods, The Melody Chamber, and The Chelsea Curve A brand new O3L game...based off of O3L's past - "Pod Sharks" A new segment of "You Weren't Supposed to Hear THAT!" We are so grateful for and touched by the wonderful audio messages that you sent us. Thank you: The Jack Rubies Barry Andrews (Shriekback, XTC) Jesse Jackson (Set Lusting Bruce podcast) Debora Iyall (Romeo Void) Love Tractor Marina Muhlfriedel (Vivabeat, Backstage Pass) Maurice Bursztynski (Love That Album, See Hear podcasts) Tony Valentino (The Standells) Steve Barton (Translator) Dave Scheff (Translator,) Genny Schorr (Backstage Pass, author - All Roads Lead to Punk) Pylon Reenactment Society Matt Piucci (The Rain Parade) Daniel McKeown Dean Brownrout (Big Deal Records, author - No Big Deal) The Rishis Kimberly Brown (author, Timmy The Taxi) Timmy the Taxi Allison Landa (author, Bearded Lady) Slender Dan Lemoyne Alexander Allen Wagner (Kilkenny Cats, Is/Ought Gap) Mat Mills (Goodbye Wudaokou) DoubleVee Dan Voznick (aka Alec Tension - Afterimage) Julio Santos Frank Boscoe (The Ekphrastics) Jim Basnight Tears Run Rings The Melody Chamber Carl Cafarelli (DJ - This is Rock n' Roll Radio, author - several fine books!) Daniel House (Skin Yard, C/Z Records) Tony Jenkins (Kobayashi Bookstore) The Open Flames Terry Banks (Dot Dash) Lance Carmine Joshua Cole Stay tuned for the next 300! Want to access the O3L Index for a handy reference on where to find discussions about your favorite artists? Go to: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EpesEJ-JWBTxVZ3C11J3MGZ1qcAzrDx_/view?usp=sharing Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cowabunga, Moondoggie! Let's pack up the woody and go Huey at the beach! Whaddya say? Yeah, call it bad timing, call it wishful thinking, or call it wistful nostalgia for the bygone summer, but this week we’re having an O3L Beach Party! We’ve got all of the essentials with us, except the most crucial thing: the tunes, man! We each need to pack up some albums for the beach to play on our state-of-the-art O3L boombox.  There’s a new album that definitely needs to come to this beach blanket bingo : Now, by Seattle’s Acapulco Lips on Killroom Records.  It’s a euphoric mix of fuzz n’ Farfisa garage rock swagger, heady reverb-drenched psych, sinewy surf rock, and girl group charm that crackles with restless energy and reckless cool.  It carries on admirably from, and improves upon (in our opinion), their self titled record from 2016.  Get it on cool tangerine & lemon galaxy colored vinyl from acapulcolips.bandcamp.com or stream it - of course, if you’re one of those new fangled fancy pants - but you’ve gotta hear this record.  Joining us for this rad rager is none other than the aforementioned Acapulco Lips - vocalist/bassist Maria-Elena Herrell, guitarist Christopher Garland, and drummer Jordan T Adams. You can almost feel the sand in your shorts! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You are a brave and adventurous soul... Surprise, all you groovy ghoulies and "eyeball eaters from outer space!" 'Tis the season to get spooky, so we're going "full-on witch mode" with our friends from Big Stir Records - label founders/mad scientists Rex Broome & Christina Bulbenko from The Armoires and sparkle*jets uk evil genius Michael Simmons - in a brand new Halloween Spoooooooooktacular special! We'll be chatting about some of the most chilling and thrilling songs from the O3L era. Speaking of which...those of us of, uh, let’s say, a certain "vintage" may associate Halloween with the classic 1964 Disneyland record Chilling, Thrilling Sounds of the Haunted House.  This fall, Big Stir is scratching a nostalgic itch with the coolest release of the season - Chilling, Thrilling Hooks and Haunted Harmonies, an incredible double album set on eerie bright green vinyl, complete with a playable Big Stir themed board game, and artwork and horrifically humorous narration reminiscent of the Disney record.  The biggest trick of all is how many treats are on it - the album contains 21 never before heard Halloween inspired tracks from the incredible Big Stir roster, including many names that have appeared on O3L as guests and/or Weekend Six Packs - Librarians with Hickeys, Splitsville, Graham Parker, The Spongetones (and Steve Stoeckel solo), The Jack Rubies, The Armoires, sparkle*jets uk, Dolph Chaney, Hungrytown, Shplang, and so many more, including - get this - brand new music from ‘60s legends The Strawberry Alarm Clock.  It’s a creepily compelling, fun, and unique essential for your Halloween party that you can get from BigStirRecords.com.  Songs: • Splitsville - "I Was a Teenage Frankenstein" • The Spongetones - "Spirit World" • Lady Darkevyl (with Chris Church) - "I Watch You Sleep" • The Pepper's Ghost Players - "Spread My Ashes in the Haunted Mansion" Hurry baaaaaaaack. Hurry baaaaa-aaaaaaaack. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we tip our hats to the trailblazing all (or mostly) girl bands of alternative rock. Speaking of the trailblazers, today’s ceremonial Third Lad certainly is one. As a musician and songwriter, Genny Schorr (aka Genny Body) was a member of one of the first mostly female punk bands in LA, Backstage Pass, along with past O3L guest Marina Muhlfriedel (aka Marina Del Rey), Joanna Spock Dean, and Holly Beth Vincent, later of Holly & The Italians (of “Tell That Girl To Shut Up” fame).  They were critical in the launch of legendary LA punk club The Masque.  They landed a track on Rhino Records’ seminal LA punk comp, Saturday Night Pogo.  They played with, and their story intertwines with, a jaw-dropping list of punk, new wave, and rock heroes.  After Backstage Pass, she was invited to be in the Go-Go’s.  She owned the influential rock n’ roll clothing boutique Strait Jacket with Stiff Records’ impresario Jake Rivera, which launched a long career as a wardrobe designer and stylist to the stars.  Many of those stylish videos, album covers, and magazine shoots you love from the ‘80s?  Genny had a hand in sculpting the look.  She lived with and toured with Linda Ronstadt as her personal wardrobe stylist as the singer transformed her image from new wave darling on the Get Closer tour to sophisticated starlet stepping in front of Nelson Riddle’s big band.  She styled and toured with the Bangles at their peak.  But ultimately, All Roads Lead to Punk - which just happens to be the title of Genny Schorr’s incredible new memoir of sex, drugs, rock n’ roll and fashion fromHoZac Books.  It’s not only a fantastic page-turner, but the photos and ephemera make it an indispensable time capsule of the era.  If you think the stories Genny shares on O3L are incredible...just wait til you read the book! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Well, dog our cats...it's a new episode of O3L! This week, lovin' is what EGOT, as we celebrate those artists who successfully traversed the worlds of music AND acting. And, it just so happens that our Third Lad today, Rebecca Pidgeon, has indeed enjoyed a long and fruitful career in both worlds.  As an actress, she has appeared in dozens of movies and TV shows since the late ‘80s, including The Spanish Prisoner, The Winslow Boy, State and Main (all of the preceding written and directed by her husband, the legendary David Mamet), Shopgirl, Red, Allegiant, Bird Box, her daughter Clara Mamet’s Two Bit Waltz, and many more.  As a musician, Rebecca began her career as the lead singer of Scottish folk/pop band Ruby Blue. After two charming albums with band - Glances Askances (1987) and Down from Above (1990), she has released a succession of 12 acclaimed solo albums like 1994’s The Raven, 1996’s The New York Girls’ Club, and 2019’s ambitiously brilliant double album Sudden Exposure to Light / Comfort, right up to her two most recent spectacular releases, 2024’s Songs of LA and 2025’s Unillusion.  Special thanks to Howard Wuelfing from Howlin Wuelf Media for the introduction and coordination. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We like women. Not in a creepy way (usually)...we mean we really like music created by women. So, in our ongoing series of episodes celebrating women in alternative music, this week we are covering our top 5 women-led albums of the 1990s. Appropriately enough, our Third Lads this week are a dynamic duo who "lived through this" and are inspired by this music - Julie Exter and Andrea Tarka White from Philly-based rock band Gun-Shy Butterfly! They currently have four singles that exemplify what the band has dubbed "bubble grunge" - a combination of sugary melodies and crunchy hooks that would have been right at home on mid-90s alternative radio. We hit it off right away with Andrea & Julie...we love 'em and we know you will too! But wait...there's also discussions about: tattoos, Higglytown Heroes, Nairing...uh...various areas, Goldschlager and comics, flip-flops (yes, again), our new grunge band Grotesque Quiche, hologram Jewel, hosers, Easttown accents, Julie's music/comedy podcast Rock'n'LOL, and much more. Oh, and guess what? A brand new O3L game called "Riot Grrrl Riot" - in which our contestants (and host) receive their very own riot grrrl names. As Kim deal would say to Gregg, "ugh!" Songs: Gun-Shy Butterfly - "Dark Side" Gun-Shy Butterfly - "Manchild" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We've covered covers before, but this week we're really blowing our cover by covering covers that we feel are better than the originals. With such a controversial topic, you'd best believe that there are petty arguments, silent treatments, and fisticuffs galore as we tackle some of popular music's sacred cows. Fisticuffs, we say! (OK, well, it was more civilized than that. We're not savages!) And joining us for this discussion today? It's Splitsville, daddy-o! That's right...one score and two years after their last album, Baltimore indie rock/power pop heroes Splitsville are dressed up and ready to party with a brand new record, Mobtown, on Big Stir Records. It's a remarkable song cycle, a love letter of sorts to their hometown, that sits comfortably alongside the band's other essential releases such as 1997's Ultrasound, 1999's Repeater, 2003's Incorporated, and 2001's modern classic The Complete Pet Soul - a pop stunner that lives up to the weight of its referential title and influences. We welcome guitarist Matt Huseman, drummer Brandt Huseman (both of whom were the driving forces one of the best mid-90s power pop bands, the Greenberry Woods), bassist Paul Kryziak, and guitarist Tony Waddy. Plus, play along to the brand new O3L game "Blanktown Heroes"! Technical note: You may also notice some imperfections on Splitsville’s vocal track in places - there was an inexplicable glitch that almost sounded like when you'd hit fast forward on a CD player.  That being said, we know you’ll enjoy listening to it as much as we did recording it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Who said you never get a second chance to make a first impression!?!? Well, we covered some of the best debut singles waaaay back in Episode 32...and now, five years later, we're back to revisit that topic. So take that, Head & Shoulders! Hey, speaking of second times, guess who's back as our Third Lads this week? (No fair, you cheated by looking at the episode title!) Yes, that's right, it's guitarist/vocalist/songwriter Matt Piucci and bassist/vocalist/songwriter Steven Roback from seminal LA "Paisley Underground" band The Rain Parade! The last time Matt & Steven joined us (Episode 259), they subtly hinted that there was something in the works for their underrated second full-length album, 1985's Crashing Dream. We have now been treated to a spectacular double disc deluxe reissue on Label 51 Recordings, that not only gives fans an opportunity to re-appraise this lost gem, but is chock full of demos, alternate versions and live bonus tracks that flesh out the story of this fertile chapter in the Rain Parade legacy. Prepare thyself for plenty of stories about the past, present, and future of Rain Parade, including recounting memories of their debut single, "What She's Done To Your Mind" from 1982. Hanging out with the guys is always a pleasure, but we digress. A lot. Special thanks to Josh Mills. Proud members of the Pantheon Podcasts family. #paisleyunderground #janglepop #collegerock #psychedelic #80smusic #classicalternative #musicpodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Things are gonna get LOUD! This week, we turn the amps up to 11 and put the effects pedals on stun as we celebrate Noise Rock. What exactly is "noise rock" though?? At its simplest definition, it’s rock music that emphasizes noise - distortion, feedback, dissonance, abrasion.  But as a subgenre, it only takes a cursory look through internet music forums to see how easily these things can digress into petty arguments about what is or is not noise rock.  Commonly perceived as precursors to noise rock would be various ‘60s psych bands like 13th Floor Elevators and the ubiquitous Velvet Underground, free jazz, and early experimental music where traditional instruments were manipulated to sound like anything but traditional instruments.  In the punk era, the natural outgrowth were things like the no wave scene that was happening in New York and British bands like The Fall, Swell Maps, and This Heat.  From there, throughout the ‘80s, ‘90s and beyond, the term was synonymous with bands like Sonic Youth, Big Black, Swans, the Jesus Lizard, and any number of bands in which Steve Albini had a hand in some way.  Joining us to wade through the mud is a New York based band whose members had a hand in shaping our perception of noise rock. The Whimbrels have just released their self titled debut album on Dromedary Records, and it's an astounding, ambitious and riff-laden affair that has plenty of noise, but also a lot of dynamics and deceptively accessible moments.  Guitarist/Vocalist/Songwriter Arad Evans was associated with Glenn Branca’s ensemble from the 1980’s until Branca’s 2018 death, as well as his band Heroes of Toolik and scores of others.  Bassist/Vocalist/Songwriter Matt Hunter co-founded the great ‘90s/2000’s cult favorites New Radiant Storm King and has played with a ton of other notables such as J. Mascis, King Missile, and Silver Jews.  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

"Here's the story of a lovely couple Who are in a cool band they call doubleVee Allan & Barb Vest went on a podcast To discuss bands that are family. Here's the story of a groovy podcast, Hosted by two guys named Uncle Gregg and Brett They were diving deep through all the records Mostly classic alternative Til the one day when the Lads met the Vests And they knew it was much more than a fad That this group must somehow form a top five list That's the way we do it on Only Three Lads Only Three Lads Only Three Lads That's the way we do it on Only Three Lads!" That’s right - the focus of this week’s episode is on bands containing siblings, married couples, cousins, etc.  Coincidentally - actually, it’s totally NOT a coincidence - our Third Lads today are the Oklahoma-based married couple, Allan & Barb Vest, who make up the band doubleVee.  Allan was previously primary songwriter, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist for one of the best left-of-center indie pop bands of the early 2000s, Starlight Mints, who released four albums during the first decade of the new millennium.   Barb’s history notably includes writing, hosting and producing the nationally syndicated film soundtrack radio programFilmscapes, as well as editing a music webzine and performing with various bands.  Together as doubleVee, Allan & Barb have crafted some astounding and wildly inventive music - the highly recommended debut concept album The Moonlit Fables of Jack the Rider in 2017, the 2019 EP, the 2022 record Treat Her Strangely (containing "Your Love Is It Real?" as heard on the hit Netflix series Wednesday), and now the newly released EP Periscope At Midnight.  The music of doubleVee is a wonderful and beguiling thing - comfortingly poppy but with plenty of strange twists, turns and detours along the way.  Cinematic music with a keen and often whimsical eye for storytelling, doubleVee’s songs are beautiful and orchestral, but leaves you with the unsettling feeling that something grotesque may be bubbling underneath the surface.  Thanks to Howard Wuelfing for the introduction and coordination! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices