Only Three Lads - Classic Alternative Music Podcast

This week, we focus on the bands who were at the precipice of becoming huge...rave reviews, prominent live gigs, radio support...yet, fame and fortune somehow eluded them. Our Third Lad is someone who knows all about this - in Alex Boucher's new memoir, Three and a Half Minutes of Fame, the seasoned writer draws from his firsthand experiences in "almost famous" indie/punk bands Three and a Half Minutes, Travis Cut, and Jaff, and boy band NV."Three and a Half Minutes of Fame" takes readers on a compelling journey through the tumultuous music scene of the 1990s, as experienced by protagonist Alex, who embarks on a quest for fame after signing a record deal at the tender age of 17. Over the span of seven years, Alex finds himself on the cusp of stardom multiple times, rubbing shoulders with iconic bands like The Pogues, Suede, Blur, and Mansun, as well as encountering figures such as Patti Boyd.However, Alex's journey is far from glamorous. Along the way, he confronts neo-Nazis, navigates the gritty world of gangsta rap, accidentally smokes crack, and grapples with personal tragedies, mental health challenges, and the trauma of sexual abuse. Set against the backdrop of the 1990s—a decade marked by cultural shifts and the rise of alternative music scenes—this memoir offers an authentic glimpse into the highs and lows of pursuing fame before the era of social media.Amidst the challenges of the COVID-19 lockdowns, Boucher took the opportunity to document his memories of the 90s music scene, resulting in a poignant memoir that sheds light on the untold stories of those who strive for fame but ultimately fall short. "Three and a Half Minutes of Fame" offers readers an intimate and revealing account of one man's journey through the trials and triumphs of the music industry, ultimately serving as a testament to resilience, creativity, and the enduring allure of chasing one's dreams.P.S. If Uncle Gregg rants are your bag, then this one's for YOU! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Out of all of the Third Lads that we've ever had, there is probably no one who has had a more profound impact on shaping our taste as alternative music fans and collectors than Ira Robbins. In 1974, young writer Robbins and two friends launched the fanzine Trans-Oceanic Trouser Press, later shortened to simply Trouser Press. Over the course of 10 years and nearly 100 issues, Trouser Press championed the eccentric outsiders, the punk pioneers, the new wave nerds, and the indie icons. The magazine ceased publication in 1984, but continued to publish record guides, which became the alternative music bible for Brett and Uncle Gregg. The contents of those essential books, as well as digitized copies of the magazine, have been lovingly archived at https://trouserpress.com. Today, Trouser Press Books continues to carry out the mission that drove the fanzine 50 years ago, releasing some of the best music-centric books on the market, including the new anthology Zip It Up! The Best of Trouser Press Magazine 1974-1984.Fittingly, this week we have an insightful, slightly nutty conversation about the eccentric geniuses of the O3L era. Proud members of the Pantheon Podcasts family. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

**This is an O3L "rerun" - our Halloween Special from 2022!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; and2) 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

Jimmie Nicol was a well respected London session drummer living in relative anonymity until he got his lucky break. When Ringo Starr fell ill with tonsilitis in June 1964, The Beatles carried on with the first leg of their world tour, using Nicol as a temporary substitute. For 13 nights, Jimmie became the only person outside of John, Paul, George, and Ringo to really live as an honest-to-goodness Beatle during the height of Beatlemania - appearing in photos, at press conferences and as one of the four men standing on stage in front of thousands of screaming, adoring fans. Upon Ringo's return, Jimmie resumed his relatively quiet life...soon to retreat from the public eye altogether. What was his story? How was he chosen by The Beatles' camp? What did he do after experiencing the taste of fame? With no sightings for many years, is Jimmie Nicol even still alive??These are the mysteries that our Third Lad, author, historian and Rock and Roll Detective Jim Berkenstadt seeks to unravel in his book The Beatle Who Vanished (https://thebeatlewhovanished.com). Jim has had a fascinating, multi-faceted career - from attorney to author to research and historical consultant for many music, film and TV projects for Apple Records and others. Jim shares stories of keeping it cool around Beatles (but not necessarily around Doors), jamming with a Beatle, and hearing Nirvana session tapes before they broke big.And, of course, we've got our Top 5 replacement or temporary band members. Yowsah! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Get ghoulish this last weekend of October with a six pack of new tunes! 1) Twin Ritual - 'Allie' (from the Allie LP - https://twinritual.bandcamp.com)2) Shake Some - 'Every Little Noise' (single, Mondays Off Records - https://shakesome.bandcamp.com)3) HotKid - 'Downtown' (from the Downtown EP, Fortune Stellar Records - https://hotkid.ca)4) Dancer - 'You Saint' (from the Split LP, HHBTM Records - https://hhbtm.bandcamp.com)5) Whisper Hiss - 'Movable Objects' (from the Split LP, HHBTM Records - https://hhbtm.bandcamp.com)6) The Jack Rubies - 'Phantom' (single, Big Stir Records - https://bigstirrecords.bandcamp.com) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Because we're readers and whatnot, this week we get literate on y'all and discuss some of our favorite rock n' roll memoirs. Our Third Lad knows a thing or two about great rock memoirs, because he just published one...singer, songwriter, guitar hero, baseball aficionado, and now author...Steve Wynn from The Dream Syndicate!His memoir, I Wouldn't Say It If It Wasn't True, is out now from Jawbone Press, covering his earliest days as a kid in LA falling in love with music, and down the road that took him to and through the first era of The Dream Syndicate. As a companion to the book, Fire Records simultaneously released Steve's first new solo album in 14 years, Make It Right, featuring songs that were inspired by the process of writing his memoir and reflecting on his life, from his beginnings in "Santa Monica" to present days on "Roosevelt Avenue". Steve is currently touring the eastern part of the US, with west coast and European dates to follow in early 2025, promising "a night of songs and stories" that you won't want to miss. Keep up on the latest news at https://stevewynn.net.During our conversation, we also cover: The Paisley Underground - the LA neo-psych scene that also spawned The Bangles, Three O'Clock, The Rain Parade, Green on Red, The Long Ryders! The lasting legacy of their classic 1982 debut The Days of Wine and Roses! What's in store for the out of print Dream Syndicate records Medicine Show (1984) and Ghost Stories (1988)? The 21st century return of the Dream Syndicate! Living with a drummer! (Don't worry, it's his wife Linda Pitmon, not Tommy Lee...) Little Steven's Underground Garage Cruise! Baseball! His supergroup The Baseball Project with Linda Pitmon, Scott McCaughey from Young Fresh Fellows / The Minus 5 and Mike Mills and Peter Buck from R.E.M. Also, who is Steve rooting for during the 2024 World Series? You won't want to miss this...and we wouldn't say it if it wasn't true. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Big Stir Records co-founders and Armoires' singers/songwriters Rex Broome and Christina Bulbenko are back for part two of our adventures in Octoberland! Hot on the heels of their newly released fall classic, Octoberland, we partake in a lively discussion on some of the best October releases of the O3L era. A cocaine-addled, anal-leakin', Das Scorpiones-lovin', elephant-squawkin', National Merit Scholar-winnin' time is guaranteed for all!****Our lawyers tell us we can't actually guarantee this. Then again, our lawyers have also informed us that they got their degrees from a Sally Struthers correspondence course.Get the Armoires' new album Octoberland at: https://bigstirrecords.com/the-armoires Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Travel with us down the snakehole into the magical world of Octoberland. In the first part of our two part autumnal extravaganza, Rex Broome and Christina Bulbenko, co-founders of Big Stir Records and singers/songwriters in pop powerhouse The Armoires, join us to discuss their brand new fall classic Octoberland.Octoberland is an invigorating eleven-track collection of amped-up, richly detailed pop gems, accessible but still retaining the quirky, slightly eerie mystique of their unique sonic signature. Along with Christina (vocals, keys) and Rex (vocals, guitar), The Armoires also feature the intricate instrumental interplay between Larysa Bulbenko (viola) and the empathetic rhythm section of Clifford Ulrich (bass) and renowned music journalist/power pop expert John M. Borack (drums). It's a bright, brash amalgam of expansive New Pornographers-inspired lit-rock, '90s twee pop and dream rock, the college rock heights of R.E.M. and Echo & The Bunnymen, and a bedrock of Byrds and Jefferson Airplane electric folk roots.Along with getting deep into the many wonders of Octoberland, this very entertaining discussion covers the formation and evolution of Big Stir Records, music and animals, and so, so much more.We absolutely mean it! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When you hear the term "singer-songwriter", what the first thing that comes to mind? Sensitive '70s long-haired hippies strolling through Laurel Canyon with an acoustic guitar? Us too. But, amidst the explosion of alternative rock, grunge, Britpop, electronic music, and hip-hop, the '90s were a fruitful decade for the singer-songwriter. This crop of artists drew from a stylistically varied palette, but played music with passion, heart, honesty, vulnerability, and a knack for poetic storytelling.One of the most promising singer-songwriters of the '90s was this week's Third Lad Milo Binder, the musical alter ego of Todd Lawrence. Milo Binder's self-titled debut album was released in 1991 to universal critical acclaim, featuring a respected roster of legendary musicians including Garth Hudson from The Band, Sneaky Pete from Flying Burrito Brothers, and Victoria Williams, as well as studio pros like the late David Vaught (Rosebud, Tom Waits, Roger McGuinn) and Duane Jarvis. Milo was profiled on NPR, received folk radio airplay, and shared the stage with a range of artists from the Indigo Girls to Soundgarden. Naturally, with that auspicious debut, Milo Binder went on to a long, fruitful musical career. Right?Well, a series of life changing events caused Milo Binder to hang up the guitar and transform back into mild-mannered Todd Lawrence for the better part of 33 years (the Superman analogy isn't all that hyperbolic...you'll find out that Todd is pretty much a super hero!). Other than the occasional live appearance and 2019's wonderfully whimsical psychedelic pop fable Paisley and the Firefly written and recorded with his longtime musical partner and best friend Willie Aron, a true follow up to the Milo Binder album never materialized. Until now.August 2024 heralded the return of Milo Binder with his (verrrrrry) long awaited second album, The Unspeakable Milo Binder, on Heyday Again (distributed by Real Gone Music). It finds our hero not only in fine form, but it's a record that equals or surpasses its predecessor.Listen to Milo's remarkable story, plus: What '90s singer-songwriter was a triple crossover...but with three different albums? Where did Uncle Gregg bomb doing stand up? Who was Milo's toughest audience? What group of people did Cher offend? (According to our official staff fact checker, aka Brett's wife, it's NOT who we said it was.) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we head back to '82 (when we could throw a pigskin a quarter mile) with special guest Jackson Reed. With his band Jackson Reed and the Silverbirds, the 26-year old Calgary rocker is mixing an irresistible blend of earnest '80s classic rock with modern pop smarts. Following the success of tracks like 2021's "Dangerous Lover" (featuring legendary drummer Kenny Aronoff) and 2023's "In My Head," their latest single is a cover of Prince's iconic 1982 hit "Little Red Corvette", offering up a take on the classic that's both faithful and fresh. It's garnered radio airplay coast-to-coast in both the USA and Canada.Reed also hosts the wonderful podcast Guess That Record, where he has interviewed luminaries such as The Police's Andy Summers, Dweezil Zappa, and Billy Joel drummer Chuck Burgi. And, in tribute to Jackson's pod, we play a brand new O3L game called "Back in 82, I Could Guess That Song!"Like good honorary Canadians, we partake in conversations about hockey, Rush, the Tragically Hip, Degrassi, Corner Gas...plus little red corvettes, Brett's drag club appearance, and Uncle Gregg's oddly specific sensual fantasies. Hey, it was Saturday night, we guess that makes it alright... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices