Only Three Lads - Classic Alternative Music Podcast

In 2008, they came down with a case of Party Fever!!! In 2024, they contracted Afterparty Fever!!! Now, in 2025, they have O3L Fever...and the only cure is more garage rock party records! (Well, that and an over-the-counter ointment.)Guitarist Sammy and vocalist/organist Helene 33 from "San Francisco's Last and Only Rock n' Roll Band" The Okmoniks join us for a rip-roarin', hip-shakin', foot-stompin', lip-smackin' garage rock party where we've each brought five of our favorite records. The best part is that you're all invited!Thank you to Chad Cornies from No Rules PR for the introduction to possibly the coolest couple on the planet!We are elated to be listed at #2 on Feedspot's list of the "10 Best Alternative Music Podcasts in 2025." This is our fifth year on this list, and we are very grateful! https://podcast.feedspot.com/alternative_music_podcasts/O3L PodPerk of the Month: Save 15% off the slip-resistant cloudlike comfort of Stand Shoes. Enter promo code O3L at https://standshoes.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From Britpop to Beanie Babies, 1995 was da bomb! So much so, in fact, that we thought it would be pretty phat if we revisited the albums of the year in a Volume 2 episode. As if!This week's Third Lad, singer/songwriter/guitarist Josh Caterer had a pretty memorable 1995 as well. His Chicago pop-punk band Smoking Popes signed a major label deal with Capitol Records, who re-released their second indie album, Born To Quit. The album featured the alternative smash "Need You Around," which received radio and MTV airplay, as well as a prominent placement in the hit film Clueless. Fast forward 30 years and things are once again heating up for Smoking Popes. They've just released a triumphant new album, Lovely Stuff, and are celebrating three decades of Born To Quit by playing the record live in its entirety this spring. This summer, they will embark on a tour with Bayside. https://smokingpopesmusic.comJosh joined us from a random rest stop somewhere in Florida to chat about '95 albums, the Popes' past, present, and future, hangin' out in Billie Joe Armstrong's basement, getting Morrissey's seal of approval, the pros and cons of sudden fame, faith, Wisconsin, and much more. We're Audi! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s not Record Store Day without a special bonus episode from your friends at Only Three Lads.  OK, so it is actually still is Record Store Day regardless on Saturday, April 12th…but hopefully we can help in some way as you get ready for the big day.  Join O3L's Brett Vargo on a guided journey through this year's list, spotlighting the many releases from artists that we talk about on the show.  This year could be one of the best we’ve ever had.  Let us know where you’ll be this Record Store Day and what’s on your shopping list! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dedicated in loving memory of two of the greatest drummers of the O3L era: Blondie (among many others) drummer Clem Burke, who passed away the day prior to this episode's release; and The Jam's Rick Buckler, who we lost the week we recorded it.The title says it all: This week, we celebrate albums with super awesome drumming with Third Lads Evan Sult and Dave Eastman from The Open Flames! Evan Sult is the super awesome drummer behind Harvey Danger and their '90s alt-rock classic 'Flagpole Sitta' (c'mon, you know you've played air drums to it before). Plus, Harvey Danger's underrated second album, King James Version, is getting the deluxe vinyl treatment for its 25th anniversary on Record Store Day - April 12, 2025!Evan Sult and Paige Brubeck (who also make up the duo Sleepy Kitty) and bassist Len Bendel joined forces with singer/songwriter/guitarist extraordinaire Dave Eastman to form the literate pop noir band The Open Flames. Their new debut album, Same Time Next Year, rides a wild wave from crescendo to crescendo. Dave's novelist's eye tells narratives that he and co-vocalist Paige embody as characters which the band explodes into cinematic color via Evan's powerful drums, Paige and Len's inventive basslines, and a full spectrum of distorted guitar tones and harmonies. Same Time Next Year is out now on Subjangle: https://theopenflames.bandcamp.com Dave also treats O3L listeners to an exclusive live acoustic version of the album track 'My Birthday'. Oh, and did we mention it's super awesome?!? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Call it an O3L spin-off. Call it a new direction. But after 264 episodes discussing classic alternative music, we (Gregg Gunner and Brett Maverick) decided that it was finally time to devote ourselves to our true musical passion...modern bro-country. In this inaugural episode, we will cover our Top 5 Bro-Country Songs. This was a nigh-on-impossible task, as there are soooooo many great tunes in this genre. For those who may be less familiar with Bro-country, here's how the ever-reliable Wikipedia describes it:Bro-country is a form of country pop originating in the 2010s, and is influenced by 21st-century hip hop, hard rock, and electronica. Bro-country songs are often musically upbeat with lyrics about attractive young women, the consumption of alcohol, partying, blue jeans, boots, and pickup trucks.Truck yeah! That's like all of our favorite things rolled into one.Don't worry, we're still the same ol' "lads" - just in Stetson hats and cowboy boots.So come along on this ride...it's got more giddy up than an F150! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Not to toot our own horns (so to speak), it's the undisputed truth that we've had incredible guests on O3L in the past. Our growing roster of "Third Lads" has collectively touched millions of lives. But is there any single person who has changed the very fabric of the music industry as indelibly as this week's Third Lad? Because this week we chat with Nick Holmstén, the man who revolutionized the modern playlist. In that spirit, we are going to "be your algorithm" and give you a wildly eclectic list of songs that you need to stream...RIGHT NOW! Well, OK, wait til after the podcast is done. Priorities, friends!With three decades of diverse experience in the entertainment industry, Holmstén’s transformation from a thriving artist, producer, and songwriter into a pioneering leader in the realms of music and technology showcases his dynamic career progression.His tenure as the Global Head of Music at Spotify is a testament to his significant impact on the digital music sphere. This role followed the strategic acquisition of his company, Tunigo, by Spotify in 2013, highlighting Spotify’s commitment to remaining at the forefront of the music discovery. He was instrumental in transforming Spotify into a global music powerhouse, introducing the modern playlist that revolutionized the way artists release music and reinvented how fans discover new music, thereby expanding the global reach of music artists.He also established TSX Entertainment, a groundbreaking entertainment company based in Times Square, with the TSX Stage and the TSX Billboard becoming significant cultural icons. The debut performance on the stage by Post Malone earned Six Clio Awards in 2023.Nick Holmstén’s journey is recounted in the book Fan Powered Futures, a compelling tale of passion, vision, and innovative spirit shaping the entertainment industry. His groundbreaking work in music, technology, and hospitality inspires a new generation of entrepreneurs, artists, and visionaries, cementing his role as a key figure in the evolution of modern entertainment. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we celebrate songs from the amazing roster of female artists who were a part of the Lilith Fair touring festival during its run between the summers of 1997 and 1999.  The Lilith Fair was co-founded by Canadian songstress Sarah McLachlan after experiencing woes with concert promoters booking female artists and battling general sexism in the music business.  Taking its name from the Jewish biblical origin story that Lilith was Adam’s first wife who refused to bow down to his every whim, the Lilith Fair became a huge success, highlighting a rotating lineup of talent at every stop. Joining us for this discussion is Sarah Seltzer, longtime executive editor at Lilith Magazine and now the author of her first novel, The Singer Sisters, on Flatiron Books (the Little Brown Book Group in the UK).  About The Singer Sisters:It's 1996, and alt-rocker Emma Cantor is on tour, with her sights trained on a record deal. Emma's got no lack of inspiration for her confessional songs, chief among them her mother Judie, a 1960s folk legend who is bitterly disappointed by Emma's choice to skip college.Emma is baffled by Judie's coldness. Judie herself was only eighteen when she ran away to New York to pursue music, ahead of forming the influential folk duo the Singer Sisters with her sister Sylvia.But Judie has a long-kept secret about why she abandoned her music career at the peak of her success, which is about to unravel.This is an epic family saga that follows mother Judie and daughter Emma as they navigate the ups and downs of music stardom - asking what women artists must sacrifice for success. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Get ready for a six pack of crisp, brand new tunes! Brett Vargo catches up with bassist CC Voltage from Canadian/American synth-driven power poppers Autogramm to chat about their new single and upcoming Spanish tour, plus new music by:1) Autogramm - 'Randy' (single, Dirt Cult Records)2) Real Sickies - 'Wild Imagination' (from Under A Plastic Bag, Stomp Records)3) Rhymies - 'I Dream Watching' (from the I Dream Watching EP, Dandy Boy)4) Brian Bilston & The Caternary Wires - 'Alexa, What Is There To Know About Love?' (from Sounds Made By Humans, Skep Wax)5) Shriekback - 'Idiot Dancing' (from Monument)6) Autogramm - 'Jenny's In A Sleep World' (single B-side, Dirt Cult Records) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Yeah, we'll make the same disclaimer we made the last time we talked about shoegaze. We know the term is polarizing. We realize that it was coined by the press as a term of derision for what had previously been known as "the scene that celebrates itself." Legend has it that writer Andy Ross first used it in a Sounds review to describe how Moose singer/guitarist Russell Yates was constantly looking down at the lyrics he had taped to the floor and/or his guitar pedals. But, face it, you hear the term and you know exactly what it is...ethereal vocals, woozy melodies, ear-piercingly loud, effects-laden guitars, all awash in a psychedelic haze. Nowadays, the bands that play this kind of music wear the "shoegaze" badge with pride. But the O.G.s had to walk so you could run, kids. Hence, this week we are celebrating some of the great shoegaze albums of the 1990s. Joining us is the singer/songwriter/guitarist of '90s Vancouver cult shoegazers Movieland, Alan D. Boyd. Movieland has been honored with the first installment of an archival series from 604 Decades that takes a look back at Vancouver's rich, if unexplored arts history. This rarities and demos collection, Then & Now, proves that they should have been at the top of the marquee during their time. https://movieland1990.bandcamp.com/album/then-nowAfter Movieland disbanded in 1994, Alan moved to the UK, and has enjoyed a long career as an acclaimed composer for TV ("Day of the Triffids") and film ("Four Strings Good"), as well performing in the folk trio Little Sparta (also featuring Susie Honeyman from the Mekons). As you would expect during an episode on shoegaze, we divert our attention to Canadian pop stars, the other Movielands, and have a rare (maybe the first time?) double Triple Crossover! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Live performances often bring an energy and spontaneity that studio recordings can't fully capture. On stage, musicians interact with the audience, infusing the song with a palpable energy and improvisational flair. The live setting can also allow for reinterpretation of arrangements—extended solos, altered tempos, or unexpected twists—that make the experience feel more personal and vibrant compared to the polished, precise nature of studio versions.Just ask legendary bassist Mike Watt, who is about to embark on his 72nd tour over his 45 year career - a career that started with one of the greatest American punk bands ever, Minutemen, and countless projects including fIREHOSE, The Stooges, dos, and, currently, mssv. mssv is a post-genre supergroup consisting of watt, drummer Stephen Hodges (who played on some of Tom Waits's classic records, among others), and led by guitarist extraordinaire Mike Baggetta. Their new album, On And On is an exciting, trippy psychedelic fever dream featuring eight boundary-pushing tracks. It is out now on BIG EGO records on 12" vinyl LP, digital download, and streaming services. mssv's 52-date "haru tour 2025" starts in watt's hometown of San Pedro, CA on March 13th, and winds through the country before concluding at the Zebulon in Los Angeles on May 3rd. No matter where you are in the U.S., mssv will be close by this spring! Segment #1: The beginnings of Minutemen, playing with mssv, what is punk rock?, Walt Whitman...indie hero Segment #2: The real prac is front of a crowd, keeping an open mind, the tour van, gear Segment #3: His long running radio show/podcast the watt from pedro show, Rocky Horror Picture Show, "use a lot of manure" Segment #4: Playing with the Stooges, watt's next? Much like your favorite live recordings, this is a one-of-a-kind O3L that you won't want to miss! mssv: https://mainsteamstopvalve.com mike watt: https://mikewatt.com Special thanks to Howard Wuelfing at Howlin' Wuelf Media for the introduction and coordination.Proud members of the Pantheon Podcasts network.Be sure to take advantage of O3L Podperks, a curated selection of discounts for YOU with promo code 'O3L'. Visit http://onlythreelads.com and click on 'Promo Codes' to take advantage of these exclusive savings for O3L listeners! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices