

Only Three Lads - Classic Alternative Music Podcast
O3L Media
Only Three Lads is a lively podcast celebrating the Golden Age of Alternative Music from the '70s, '80s & '90s. Join Uncle Gregg, Brett Vargo, and a variety of ”Third Lads” as we share our Top Fives, stories, and news about the music we love, and have a lot of fun along the way! Whether you‘re into indie, punk, new wave, Britpop, power pop, synth pop, shoegaze, grunge...or whatever...there is going to be something for you to discover and love. Part of Pantheon Podcasts.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jan 4, 2023 • 59min
O3L Flashback - E24 - Top 5 Albums of 1985
As we get ready for Season 4's launch, take a journey back to some of our earliest episodes during O3L Flashback Week! Season 1, Episode 24 was originally released on July 28, 2020, and it's one of those "off the rails" episodes. Aside from discussing some of the greatest alternative music ever created, Uncle Gregg gives us a taste of movie cheese, Brett reveals his obvious mastery of a Dutch accent, and Bueno?!? Well, let's just say you have to hear it to believe it. So, pour yourself a Double Palmer and stay awhile!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 3, 2023 • 1h
O3L Flashback - E15 - Top 5 Bassists (with Robert Vickers from The Go-Betweens)
As we get ready for Season 4's launch, take a journey back to some of our earliest episodes during O3L Flashback Week!
Today we bring you Season 1, Episode 15, originally released on May 26, 2020. The episode contains excerpts from our interview with the very first guest on O3L - Robert Vickers from The Go-Betweens. What an incredible thrill that was too! Whatever we have is yours, and it's right here.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 2, 2023 • 1h 34min
O3L Flashback - E1 - Top 5 Albums 1974-99
As we get ready for Season 4's launch, take a journey back to some of our earliest episodes during O3L Flashback Week! First up is the very beginning - Season 1, Episode 1, originally released on February 12, 2020. Ah, the world was so innocent back then...and we were so awkward. It's like looking back at an old yearbook. So take this trip back down memory lane with us. We recognize that you will be laughing at us, not with us.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 27, 2022 • 1h 49min
E143 - Top 5 Songs of 2022 (with Tallies)
In our Season 3 finale, we spend another week outside of the normal O3L era to discuss our Top 5 Songs of 2022. Not only that, but we have something really special for you, as our Third Lads this week are Sarah Cogan and Dylan Frankland from Toronto dream pop band Tallies. Yes, that's right...the band behind the 2022 record Patina that Brett picked as his #1 album of the year last week.
We cover a lot of the amazing songs that this year had to offer, from deep underground tracks to the tunes that had the whole world singing along, as well as a whole bunch of other totally 2022 topics: Condiments! Kool-Aid! Urban Outfitters! Gothic Horror Clowns! Politicians (isn't that kinda the same thing as gothic horror clowns??)! Climate change! Swifties! Plus, Sarah & Dylan offer insights into their new album, their writing process, and Tallies' 2022 highlights. If you are already a Tallies fan, you'll love this episode...if you're new to Tallies, be prepared to become a fan!
Happy New Year! We can't wait for you to see what's in store for Season 4!
About Tallies:
Tallies started in earnest when singer Sarah Cogan, guitarist Dylan Frankland, and drummer Cian O’Neill began collaborating in late 2017. A proto-version of the band began at Algonquin College, when Sarah met Dylan during a music engineering course that saw the two become lab partners. All throughout their career, they’ve dove into the bands that would influence their sound–the Sundays, the Smiths, Aztec Camera–all while adding their own signature elements; Sarah’s airy-yet-arresting vocals, Dylan’s stunning gossamer guitar work, Cian’s astronomic drumming. They got down to business rather quickly, as in 2019, their debut self-titled album was released on Hand Drawn Dracula in Canada and Kanine Records in the United States. Solidifying the band’s stature as Canada’s leading dream pop scholars, its mix of upbeat pop hooks and heady, larger-than-life production won the band critical acclaim from the indie underground to the mainstream alike. They began work straight away on a second record, which would prove to be an even more life-affirming endeavor than their debut. With their brand new sophomore album, Patina, Toronto-based indie pop band Tallies have found a way to expertly walk that razor-thin tightrope, nodding to their favorite bands of the past while transforming their sound into something tight, bright, and undeniably fresh.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 20, 2022 • 1h 11min
E142 - Top 5 Albums of 2022
This week, Uncle Gregg and Brett step out of the classic alternative era to discuss their Top 5 Albums of 2022. Anything goes...and it does!
The Lads also play an informal game of "Have Yourself a Creepy Little Christmas" (Note from Gregg: Brett doesn't even stand a chance. Bow to your sensei!), draw the line at what does/does not qualify as a cookie, practice their Cookie Monster vocal techniques, and share what song should be added to YOUR holiday playlist this year.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 13, 2022 • 1h 31min
E141 - 3rd Annual O3L Holiday Party!
'Tis the season...for the 3rd Annual O3L Holiday Party, in which we invite members from the listener community to join us the recording of a special holiday themed episode. Joining us this year: Paul from Stockton, CA; Tony from Mira Loma, CA; Julio from Puebla, MX (the returning game champ); Brian (Brett's brother) from Escondido, CA; Dr. Don from Overland Park, KS; Julie from Los Angeles, CA; and Kimberly from Downey, CA (and straight outta Compton).
Even if you missed the party, you're still invited to listen in on the fun! Everyone shares their fondest holiday musical memories. We play two exciting new O3L games. We talk about our "revolutionary" bands, Peter Pan Records, The Chipmunks, street cred, Hungarian cursing, Dr. Don ruining Christmas, Menudo (yes, the food and the singing sensations), bin diving, and much, much more.
Plus, hear the world premiere of Brett's brand new holiday song, "Straight Down The Chimney"!
A splendid time is guaranteed for all!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 24, 2022 • 48min
E139 - Top 5 Food Songs (A Thanksgiving Musical Feast)
We hope you're still hungry for more O3L this week, because we've got a musical smorgasbord for you! In celebration of Thanksgiving, we are discussing our Top 5 classic alternative songs with a tie in to food - whether it be the song title, lyrics, theme or band name. It's a horn o' plenty...of fun!
Come have a seat at our table - the grown-ups are boring anyway. Oh, and please send our apologies to Uncle Ernie and Grandma.
Wherever you are, we want to take this opportunity to show our gratitude to all of you in the O3L Community. You have shared our passions, embraced and listened to our show, and have become dear friends, and that is a humbling and unbelievably rewarding experience.
We're taking the rest of the weekend off to spend time with family, and we hope you do the same.
#musicpodcast #musicpodcasts #podcasts #podnation #classicalternative #newwave #1stwave #punkrock #indierock #indiepop #powerpop #rocknrollmcdonalds #alternativerock #raspberryswirl #dontsmoke #hoser
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 22, 2022 • 2h 20min
O3L - E138 - Top 5 Albums of 1989 (with Ian Wright from The Jack Rubies)
We've done the maths: Episode 138 is filled with a whopping (and quite coincidental) 138 minutes of "enjoyable weirdness."
Joining us to discuss the Top 5 Albums of 1989 is the singer/songwriter/guitarist from London's The Jack Rubies, Ian Wright. From 1986 to 1990, The Jack Rubies released a clutch of singles and two albums on TVT Records - 1988's comp Fascinatin' Vacation and 1990's See The Money In My Smile - balancing the band's indie pop hooks and penchant for "cowboy songs" that explored the darker side of life. They amassed a following through tours with The Triffids, They Might Be Giants and Modern English, college radio airplay and videos in rotation on MTV's 120 Minutes. In 2022, The Jack Rubies are back with their first new material in 32 years, the single "Hidey Hole." Listen wherever you stream music or at https://thejackrubies.bandcamp.com.
Plus: Uncle Gregg witnesses live executions! Brett reveals his bad boy side with record club alter egos and overdue library fines! Ian visits Weird America! Food, food and more food (including NY pizza)! Debating the merits of U2, The Boss and the latter-day Stones! Tastes great...or less filling? Mlah!
#musicpodcast #musicpodcasts #classicalternative #alternativerock #punkrock #newwave #1stwave #powerpop #80smusic #indierock #indiepop
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 15, 2022 • 1h 58min
E137 - Top 5 Songs of 1979 (with David Newton from The Mighty Lemon Drops!)
Oi, you happy heads! Jump on the rollercoaster and head straight into the heart of love, because this week we're turning the songs of 1979 inside out! With 1979 being arguably THE greatest year for songs within the O3L era, these are definitely the songs that changed our lives.
If our thinly disguised song references weren't enough of a giveway, it is our biggest thrill (last one, we promise) to welcome the songwriter and guitarist from one of the most beloved groups in '80s British pop, David Newton from The Mighty Lemon Drops! We are celebrating their upcoming 5 CD box set, Inside Out: 1985-1990 on Cherry Red Records, containing their first three albums and a generous selection of singles, EP tracks, demos, radio sessions, live tracks and more. Dave takes on a journey from his first band in 1979, the Lemon Drops' first recordings on Dan Treacy's Dreamworld label, being a part of the legendary C86 compilation, their major label days on Chrysalis Records with big budget producers, studios and tours, the final days of the band, to present day.
Also: The ugliest band in Britain! A throw down to Shawn Mendes fans! KC & The Serial Killer Band! Evan Dando! And will Uncle Gregg ever join The Mighty Lemon Drops on tour?!?
#musicpodcast #musicpodcasts #podnation #c86 #britishpop #indiepop #indierock #guitarpop #postpunk #1979music #newwave #punkrock #1stwave #classicalternative #70smusic
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 8, 2022 • 1h 37min
E136 - Top 5 Sad Songs (with Glenn Donaldson from The Reds, Pinks & Purples!)
We're not crying...YOU'RE crying! We're just cutting leeks or something.
As Sir Elton John once sang, "sad songs say so much." Gee whiz, you hit that particular nail on the head, El. This week, the Lads ruminate on some of the saddest, most somber, depressing - and yet often comforting - songs of the O3L era. These are sad songs that definitely say so much.
Joining us is one of the best songwriters of melancholic indie pop, Glenn Donaldson of The Reds, Pinks & Purples. Since the release of the first full length under the guise in 2019, Glenn has prolifically produced record after record of consistently great, jangly, doleful pop music, including this year's incredible Summer At Land's End. Complete your Reds, Pinks & Purples collection at: https://theredspinksandpurples.bandcamp.com - or ask for it at your local record shop!
Lest you think that we've gone all sullen, this is probably the most fun you'll have listening to middle aged music dudes talking about sad songs!
This episode is dedicated to the memory of Low's Mimi Parker.
#musicpodcasts #musicpodcast #indiepop #janglepop #classicalternative #1stwave #newwave #indierock #grunge #synthpop #sadsongs #ripmimi
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices