Only Three Lads - Classic Alternative Music Podcast

"Honesty is hardly ever heard." - Billy Joel Don't worry, we're not going all Billy Joel on you, but this week we're talking about the songs where honesty is heard loud and clear.  True to this week's theme, we are elated to be joined by the brilliant writer Allison Landa, whose recently published memoir, Bearded Lady, is unflinchingly honest, bold, brave, vulnerable, funny-as-heck, and always engaging.  Through Allison's eyes and sharp pen, we are all encouraged to find - and embrace - what makes us weird.  Hey, we may not be Oprah and/or Michelle Obama, but this one is definitely endorsed by the O3L Book Club!  Allison is also a friend of Brett's from high school, so that makes it extra special to have her on the show (Go Titans!  Or Trojans!  Or whatever!).    Plus, Allison and Uncle Gregg battle it out in our latest world famous game, O3L Lie Detector!  We also talk yogurt, chorizo, our ideal Lost Weekends, Danny Bonaduce, Carly Rae Jepsen, and why Gregg shouldn't always follow his "policy of truth."  Oh, and there's smut.  Lots and lots of smut. We guarantee that this one will bring a smile to your face.  C'mon...would WE lie to you? For more information on Allison Landa and Bearded Lady, visit: https://www.woodhallpress.com/bearded-lady Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is PART ONE of our conversation with the great Jeff Murphy from Shoes.  Stay tuned for the second part where we get into our Top 5 lists!   Of course, we travel all over the musical and geographical map on O3L.  This week, we stop firmly in the heartland of the ol' US of A - the 12 states that the Census Bureau has declared as the midwest.  Far away from the show-biz epicenters of Los Angeles and New York, we celebrate the bands who crafted brilliant music and created their own homegrown scenes often in unlikely locations.     Our special Third Lad for this discussion is a musician whom we've loved and admired for many years, none other than singer/songwriter/guitarist/producer Jeff Murphy from melodic pop/rock legends Shoes.  Jeff takes us through the nearly 50 year history of Shoes, from an imaginary band with a tape recorder to DIY indie pioneers to a major label, big producers and some of the first videos shown on MTV, and ultimately returning to their independent roots in the mid-80s (and never looking back!).  Along with his bassist brother John Murphy and guitarist Gary Klebe, the nucleus of this important group split the writing and singing duties on classic records such as Black Vinyl Shoes (1977), Present Tense (1979), Tongue Twister (1981), Boomerang (1982), and Silhouette (1984).  Jeff has also notably produced bands such as Material Issue and pre-Garbage band Spooner in Shoes' Short Order Recorder Studio. This is an epic two-parter that you don't want to miss! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is PART TWO of our conversation with the great Jeff Murphy from Shoes, where we get into our Top 5 lists.  If you haven't already, make sure to check out the first part for much more!   Of course, we travel all over the musical and geographical map on O3L.  This week, we stop firmly in the heartland of the ol' US of A - the 12 states that the Census Bureau has declared as the midwest.  Far away from the show-biz epicenters of Los Angeles and New York, we celebrate the bands who crafted brilliant music and created their own homegrown scenes often in unlikely locations.     Our special Third Lad for this discussion is a musician whom we've loved and admired for many years, none other than singer/songwriter/guitarist/producer Jeff Murphy from melodic pop/rock legends Shoes.  Jeff takes us through the nearly 50 year history of Shoes, from an imaginary band with a tape recorder to DIY indie pioneers to a major label, big producers and some of the first videos shown on MTV, and ultimately returning to their independent roots in the mid-80s (and never looking back!).  Along with his bassist brother John Murphy and guitarist Gary Klebe, the nucleus of this important group split the writing and singing duties on classic records such as Black Vinyl Shoes (1977), Present Tense (1979), Tongue Twister (1981), Boomerang (1982), and Silhouette (1984).  Jeff has also notably produced bands such as Material Issue and pre-Garbage band Spooner in Shoes' Short Order Recorder Studio. This is an epic two-parter that you don't want to miss! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Put on your spelunking gear and go deep into some of the classic albums of the O3L era. This week, we're picking out some album tracks on well-loved records that weren't plucked as singles, played to death on the radio, or endlessly compiled.   Along the way through this classic alternative cave, Uncle Gregg stumbles down all sorts of side holes, lamenting missed opportunities and defining his ideal woman.  And what shall he dress up as for Halloween?  Cast your vote!   Meanwhile, Brett recognizes O3L's key demographic and attempts to update the show's vernacular with some modern slang. The first person to post them all (at least 23 words/phrases are used) wins an O3L t-shirt!   Our O3L Spotlight is shining on a previous guest, our lovely new friend Helen McCookerybook. During Episode 121, Helen revealed that she had a new album coming out called Drawing On My Dreams...and now it's here! From this spare, intimate, charming record, we play "Wake Up (And Smell The Coffee)". Download or buy the CD from: https://helenmccookerybook.bandcamp.com/album/drawing-on-my-dreams.   #musicpodcast #musicpodcasts #PodNation #1stwave #classicalternative #newwave #punkrock #goth #synthpop #80smusic #deepcuts #mod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Get ready for a powerful O3L...and not just because we're talking about '80s power pop. This week, we are very pleased to welcome Renee Schyjer, wife, muse and soulmate of rockin', rollin', power-poppin', wild feline frontman Freddy Moore.   Whether you know him as Freddy, his Midwest alter ego Skogie or mild-mannered offstage Rick, Frederick Moore was quite possibly the biggest rock star you've never heard of. Freddy had it at all. The looks, the charisma, the chops, the songs.   In the late '60s and early '70s, his band Skogie and the Flaming Pachucos reached local stardom and small-scale Beatle-level adulation. After moving to LA in the late '70s, they evolved into The Kats (and later The Nu-Kats). The Kats sold out every major club in Los Angeles, from Madame Wong's to the Whiskey to the Starwood to the Troubadour, headlining alongside bands like The Police, The Knack and The Motels. The Kats were offered dozens of record deals. They turned down every single one. KISS's Gene Simmons wanted to manage them. He was married at the time to a rising movie star named Demi Moore. Yes, Freddy seemingly had it all...yet rock n' roll stardom eluded him.   In 2014, Moore received the frightening diagnosis that he had developed early-onset Alzheimer's. With Renee's tireless love, help and research, Rick was able to hold onto his memories as long as he could to share them with the world.   Co-written with Shannon Guyton, the result is It's Not A Rumour, an unorthodox, hysterical story of survival, and making it big in music without ever making a dime. It's an "almost famous" chronicle woven together with lyrics, photos, and memorabilia. It's Not A Rumour is available from Amazon or other fine retailers.   In between booking Renee on the show and our release, Frederick Moore passed away on August 25, 2022. We dedicate this episode to his memory, and hope it is the celebration of life, love and music that he deserves.   Hear more of Freddy Moore's music at: http://demophonic.com/   In the O3L Spotlight this week is a Philadelphia-based band that WRKC's DJ Calc hipped us to, The Tisburys. We play "Language of Luxury" from their latest album, the gutsily titled Exile On Main Street. It's a great record touched by the influence of Springsteen, The Replacements, modern indie rock, '90s college rock and power pop. Check it out wherever you buy/stream music or at https://tisburys.bandcamp.com.   #musicpodcast #musicpodcasts #PodNation #powerpop #LAmusic #newwave #punkrock #indierock #indiepop #80smusic #demimoore #itsnotarumour #alzheimersawareness Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Well, we've finally gone and done it!  After spending multiple episodes last season digging into Athens, GA music with some of the scene's most pivotal figures, the Randomizer has decided that it's time to dedicate an entire episode to the Classic (Alternative) City!  We discuss so many greats in this episode, from REM, The B-52's, Pylon, Love Tractor, Oh-OK, Magnapop, Kilkenny Cats, Flat Duo Jets, Bar-B-Que Killers, The Method Actors, The Glands, Matthew Sweet, Of Montreal, The Michael Guthrie Band, Neutral Milk Hotel, The Side Effects, Green Thrift Grocery and a lot more.  If you've got Georgia on your mind, then this is the episode for you.   Oh, and did we mention Squalls?  Because our Third Lad this week is another Athens luminary, Bob Hay from Squalls.  Squalls played a unique brand of quirky pop that was equal parts Lovin' Spoonful, Grateful Dead and Talking Heads, and got many a person up on the dance floor from 1981 to 1989.  They released four recordings and were included in the essential 1986 documentary on the scene, Athens, GA: Inside/Out.   We are celebrating the release of Live From The 40 Watt, capturing Squalls at their best with 24 tracks recorded live at the legendary 40 Watt Club by soundman Pat "The Wiz" Biddle over five nights from 1983-85.  The album is now available on CD, 2 LPs or digitally from Strolling Bones Records.  More info: https://strollingbonesrecords.com On November 4, 2022, Propeller Sound Recordings will begin their reissue campaign of the Squalls studio catalogue, starting with a remastered and expanded full-length version of their 1984 self-titled debut EP.  More info: https://propellersoundrecordings.com For all the latest Squalls news, visit http://squalls.band/ Special thanks to Pylon's Vanessa Briscoe Hay, Leigh Rixey from Strolling Bones Records and Angie Carlson from Propeller Publicity for their help in making this all come together!   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

45 minutes!  "Concise" isn't usually the word that you'd use to describe O3L, but this week we bring you a concise episode that's almost live.  This one was recorded, edited, produced and published mere hours before release.  Anything goes...   This week, we pay tribute to Queen Elizabeth II and count down our Top 5 Royal Songs - in other words, songs containing regal titles in the titles (huh?).   Our Spotlight Artist of the Week is The Radio Field from Dusseldorf, Germany.  The Radio Field is Lars Schmidt from long-standing indie pop band Subterfuge, with a little help from his friends.  We play their brand new single "Clover," from the upcoming Simple EP on September 30th.  If you like your pop jangly, then this is for you!   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How punk is this week's episode, you ask? First of all, the Third Lad this week is Matt Dell.  Matt was the singer for Canadian pop/punk band I've Got Gloria, and is now a full-time, evidence-based vocal coach and music teacher with Registers Music.  Through his innovative techniques, Matt is working with singers, bands and actors to harness the power of their voices.  As his website states, "Learn to free your voice, not fear it!"  Find out more at https://registersmusic.com. Plus, Matt gives the Lads a screamo lesson.  They talk domestic bliss, standup comedy, Celine Dion and Boy Meets World.  They get mature, crochety and compare aches and pains.  Yeah, punk rock!! Of course, they also really *do* talk about punk rock.    Near...far...wherever you are, rest assured O3L will go on. #musicpodcast #musicpodcasts #podnation #punkrock #classicalternative #punk #70smusic #80smusic #90smusic #newwave #singers #vocals #vocalists #voicelessons #boymeetsworld #topanga Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Get ready for a spiffy new episode of Only Three Lads!  It's Brett's birthday, so what better way to celebrate than with one of his favourite O3L-era topics, Britpop.  In this Be Here Now-sized episode (c'mon, you Britpop kids get it!), relive the records, stories, triumphs, tragedies, superstars and should-have-beens of the biggest British musical and cultural phenomenon of the '90s.    This week, we've got two yangs to Uncle Gregg's yin, as our Third Lad is Paul Laird, author of the new book The Birth and Impact of Britpop: Mis-Shapes, Scenesters and Insatiable Ones.  Rather than simply rehashing familiar Britpop lore, or attempting an academic, exhaustive analysis at the scene, Laird weaves a compelling, personal tale of his Britpop experience.  It's a wonderful look at Britpop from a fan's eyes, exploring not only the bands who "made it," but some of the great bands that existed under the surface.  Whether you were actually there or not, you'll feel like you were.   Buy The Birth and Impact of Britpop from Amazon, other fine booksellers, or: Pen and Sword Books: The Birth and Impact of Britpop - Hardback (pen-and-sword.co.uk)   Our O3L Spotlight Artist of the Week is The Photocopies.  The Photocopies is the brainchild of Michigan based Londoner Sean Turner, who plays unapologetically old-school indie pop in the vein of the C86 scene of the mid-80s to early-90s.  We heard the great DJ Calc play a few tracks on his recent Tuesday night radio show on WRKC, and we were suitably blown away.  The Photocopies’ previous singles and b-sides have all been marvelously compiled on Greatest Hits Volume 1 & 2 and Et Cetera: B-sides and More, or get all three albums under the title of Pop Trivia.  Track after track of guitar pop brilliance fly by, and it's highly, highly recommended stuff.  From Greatest Hits Vol. 2, we play “Anywhere Without You.”   The Photocopies: https://thephotocopies.bandcamp.com   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we're all about showing the love to the '90s artists that we feel are underrated.  Well, we're all about that, and talk sports, celebrity death matches, Finnish politics and classic Dr. Seuss characters...but we're mostly about underrated artists of the '90s. Apropos to this topic, we are very pleased to welcome author Andy Frye as our Third Lad.   Andy is a music and sports scribe who has written for notable publications such as Rolling Stone, ESPN and Forbes, and has interviewed hundreds of personalities ranging from Morrissey to Tom Brady.  Andy's latest endeavor is the novel Ninety Days in the 90s, a rock n' roll time travel adventure following Wall Street trader-turned-record store owner Darby, as she discovers Chicago's mythical Gray Line train that will allow her to return to 1996 for 90 days.  It's a music-filled nostalgia trip that asks the question: What would you do differently if you could relive the past? Order the book at: https://90daysinthe90s.com For more information on Andy Frye: https://andyfrye.com This week's O3L Spotlight Artist of the Week is London's Valentina Way.  Valentina Way exist somewhere in south London between 1969 and 1971 - with their jangle-pop guitars, Beach Boy vocal harmonies, garage organ, flute and Penny Lane trumpet solos.  Musically, the band take their cue from the cover of "Sugar Sugar" by Cornershop, David Cassidy, Karen Carpenter, Micky Dolenz, Gilbert O'Sullivan, Bay City Rollers, and any garage band from the '60s who didn't quite make it.  We share the marvelously wistful track "Ben Sherman" from their debut album Imaginary Weekends. Listen to more Valentina Way at https://soundcloud.com/valentinaway. Follow Valentina Way on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ValentinaWay5       Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices