Only Three Lads - Classic Alternative Music Podcast

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

It’s Labor Day Weekend here in the U.S. and for our friends in Canada.  And you know what THAT means?  That’s right…mattress sales from coast to coast!  Slashing prices 50%, 60%, 70%!  (Plus applicable tariffs.)  Well, guess what we’ve got for you instead this holiday weekend?  Music is OUR mattress, and we’re here with insane deals on a six pack of the latest tunes. We won't rest easy 'til YOU rest easy! Acapulco Lips - 'Fuzzy Sunshine' (from the LP 'Now', Killroom Records) Orbis Max - 'If I Still Believe In Love At All' (single) The Planet Smashers - 'Things You Do" (from the LP 'On The Dancefloor', Stomp Records) Goodbye Wudaokou - 'I Can't Deal With September' (from the LP 'Anything Of Us', Subjangle) Sadlands - 'Twin Flame' (from the upcoming LP 'Try To Have A Little Fun', Wiretap Records) Maple Mars - 'Couldn't Have Been A Better Time' (single, Big Stir Records) Tariff free but providing as much support and comfort as the latest memory foam technology!    Thanks for supporting new music, the artists creating it and labels putting it out.  To keep this ecosystem going, we need to prop each other up now more than ever.  By downloading this podcast, you’re helping.  By following these bands on social media, you’re helping.  And, perhaps needless to say, buying their records, t-shirts, or seeing them live helps most of all! Have a great weekend! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hip-hop culture was a dominant force during the '80s and '90s, and inspired language, fashion, film, and music. Yes, that includes plenty of alternative music. But that's not what we're talking about today. Instead, we explore the inverse - how influential was alternative music in the world of hip hop?  While perhaps not quite as pervasive, it did exist - whether it be through the use of sampling recognizable songs, a cross-pollination of styles and artists coming together, or perhaps just an overall attitude or spirit. Our Third Lad this week, Lemoyne Alexander, is a man who has bridged both the hip-hop and alternative worlds and then some.  He played in family bands throughout the ‘70s & ‘80s including the Fascination, who had some dance club hits like 1986’s “Why Are You Always Complaining?” before settling in as a hip hop producer both solo and with the production team 3 Da Hard Way, working on records by the likes of Aalyiah, DMX, DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince, and for labels like Jive and Motown.  Lemoyne left the rap game to return to his earliest passions - the guitar and rock n’ roll, releasing Solitude in 2019 and Perfect World in 2023.  2024’s indie rock single “Insecurity” is an earworm that once you hear that infectious chorus, it’s going to take up residence in your head for all your days.  With a new single "Claustrophobia" (which you will hear during this episode!) and LP Alone on the horizon, Lemoyne is poised to continue making his mark on alt rock. Oh, and on top of that, we've got a brand new O3L game for y'all: Off Da Chartz (aka Rap Draft), in which our contestants draft five albums that they believe will appear on Boombox's list of the Top 50 Alternative Rap Albums of all time. Plus, Uncle Gregg rants aplenty. Oh, the rants. Yo! Thanks to Laura Bissett from the MyWhy Agency for the introduction and coordination. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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