Only Three Lads - Classic Alternative Music Podcast

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

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

'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

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

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

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

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

This week, O3L is comin' at you L.A.M.F.!  (Oh, that's Los Angeles Milk Family, of course...) We're talking American punk rock in the '70s.  Our Third Lad this week is not only someone who experienced the music firsthand, but was one of the writers who championed and chronicled many of the greatest names in not only punk rock, but music in general.   Michael Goldberg joined us for Episode 114 following his riveting book on the life of Jimmy Wilsey, Wicked Game, and returns to O3L to celebrate his latest release, Addicted to Noise: The Music Writings of Michael Goldberg, out now on Backbeat Books. Addicted To Noise collects the best interviews, profiles and essays Goldberg has written during his 40-plus years as a journalist. From combative interviews with Frank Zappa and Tom Waits to essays on how Jack Kerouac influenced Bob Dylan and the lasting importance of San Francisco’s first punk rock club, Goldberg, as novelist Dana Spiotta wrote, “shows us how consequential music can be.” Contained within these pages: interviews with Sleater-Kinney, Sonic Youth, Patti Smith, Lou Reed, Flipper, John Fogerty, Neil Young and Rick James, and profiles of Robbie Robertson, John Lee Hooker, James Brown, the Clash, Prince, Michael Jackson, the Flamin’ Groovies, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, X, Laurie Anderson, Brian Wilson, the Ramones, George Clinton, the Sex Pistols, Richard Thomson, Gil Scott-Heron, Stevie Wonder, George Clinton, Devo, San Francisco punks Crime and more. Plus short takes on Muddy Waters, Townes Van Zandt, Captain Beefheart, Professor Longhair and others. Also 50+ full page photos of some of the artists. As Greil Marcus writes in the Foreword, “You can feel the atmosphere: someone has walked into a room with a pencil in his hand—as the words go in perhaps the first song about a music critic, not counting Chuck Berry’s aside about the writers at the rhythm reviews—and suddenly people are relaxed. … He isn’t after your secrets. He doesn’t want to ruin your career to make his. He doesn’t care what you think you need to hide. He actually is interested in why and how you make your music and what you think of it. So people open up, very quickly, and, very quickly, as a reader, you’re not reading something you’ve read before.” The stories originally appeared in Rolling Stone, Downbeat, Esquire, New Musical Express, California magazine, Addicted To Noise, San Francisco Chronicle, Vibe, Creem, New York Rocker, and more. In the O3L Spotlight this week, we celebrate the return of late '80s London indie poppers The Jack Rubies!  We play their new single, "Hidey Hole," which happens to conveniently be now available at: https://thejackrubies.bandcamp.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Only Three Lads is a fun, lively music commentary podcast celebrating the Golden Age of Alternative Music from 1974 - 1999.  Each week, Uncle Gregg and Brett Vargo (and, in our earlier episodes, Bueno) run down their Top 5 lists for a different episode topic, aided and abetted by a variety of "Third Lads" - musicians, writers, comedians, fellow podcasters, or the collective O3L community.  If you want to relive the best days of your life or discover music from the era that may have escaped you, and have a lot of laughs along the way, this is the show for you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Happy Halloween!  If you didn't get your fill of O3L this week (which strangely tastes similar to circus peanuts), here's a fun-size O3L Halloween Special.  Uncle Gregg and Brett bring you their Top 5 songs to add to your spooky playlist.  It's spoooook-tacular!  OK, no more Halloween puns... There are two crucial rules at this time of year: 1) Don't feed Gremlins after midnight; and 2) Don't let the Lads record at night.  If you've heard past "After Dark" episodes, it probably will come as no surprise that there is content in this one that may not be appropriate for sensitive listeners. Enter...if you dare!   Oh, and P.S. Gregg ruins EVERYTHING!  Now you can add Halloween to the list. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices