This month on Podrophenia: Forgotten Britpop - bands, acts, pioneers and events that get compressed out of the nineties timeline. From Rod Stewart’s French Crop (and dyed red), Kylie and the Manics - to proto-B/pop bands.
Gary Bynorth - joins Piley, Mondo and Lord Hastings - live to spin new tunes.
And there's a quiz! Brit Pop or Brit Bod
DL Here
Podrophenia back in action tonight, with the power trio of Piley, Lord Steven Hastings and m'self - we gather together from our collective cloudbases for a socially distanced run through of tunes, chat, news stories and triv'.
ho are the IAI Association? Why was Danny Kirwin sacked from Fleetwood Mac, do The Monkees retain their Monkee Magic five decades on? Alongside these conundrums we'll be spinning in newbies from Sparks and buried treasure from Jimmy Winston and Brian Auger ...
Bag a bargain - the latest Podrophenia is up for download.
A charity shop special - loaded with upcycled songs: a medley that hops from Georgie Fame to Led Zep, Anthony Newley's version of Goldfinger, the funkiest fizzy-pop song ever, Mud getting on the good foot (rather than the Tiger Foot) and a track from the fifth most expensive record sold on Discogs (value is no indicator of quality)...
All here and all free..
Buckle up Pod-pals as we bring you a fully loaded 150th edition of Podrophenia.. We've a trio of exclusives (David Woodcock Leo Leo and Steve Hooker). Special guests Joe and James Michael Clarke from Stackfest Central about the due soon gig And Paul Tunkin from Blow Up, bringing us the background on tracks from the label's catalogue..and the Blow Up Easter Special at The Railway 20th April..
America is the theme of our latest Podrophenia as guest's Gary Bynorth and Paul Hill of Doojip are in for a live session and world debut spin of their new single 'Would I Lie To You' (and it's B side).. We've got Halloween puns, a pop quiz - an exclusive reveal on a lost sixties Southend garage tune AND - play of the new BaVard single.....
Dig in and download.....
The story of the Pellicci legend that was Jukebox Jimmy is told today over at Spitalfield's Life. It also features Jim talking about some of his favourite records, and where he first heard them - in a recording he made for Paul Tunkin and myself. It's a rare insight into East London and Bethnal Green during the sixties - a perspective on the pubs, the scene and the songs of the time.
On a visit to Pellicci's in 2010, and knowing I was a music avid, Nevio Pellicci sat me on a table with Jimmy, we got chatting about soul music, became a good friends, and met generally once a week, and occasionally outside of Pellcci's at record fairs - or other cafes, when Pellicci's was closed. Apart from sharing the same birthday (16th December) - we loved the same music and would rattle on for hours about soul, rock 'n' roll, country and Blue Beat (Jim refused to call it ska) , his love of Sam Cooke, The Beatles, Elvis and how he hated TV talent shows...
Jim was a fellow record collector and avid, a great pal and gateway to an archive of lost gems and nuggets by way of CDs kindly compiled for me from his vinyl collection - sometimes left in the Pellicci pigeonhole (by the side of the till). I'd regularly spin in Jim's tips during sets at The Railway (Nappy Brown, Sugar Pie DeSanto ) or Podrophenia (Lavern Baker, Robert John). In return I supplied him with the odd Elvis bootleg and DVDs of Hoss Allen's The!!! Beat
I'd always hoped to get Jim down to Southend for a DJ set. Unfortunately this never happened - however he contributed to our Podrophenia radio show by selecting records, making some jingles for us, and phoning in to choose a track or two...
He was a legend a gent and his passing is another part of the old East End lost forever
The JBJ story can be read here...and his guide to music heard below
Solo artists and band members who've bolted the band for a musical breakout are the theme of this Podro. We've got a world exclusive spin of the new Rollin' Machine single - Off the Clock. A track from the new Owen Williamsalbum,TWO new tunes from Blow Up records - (Usselman and The Bongolian) plus a Lennon Pop quiz.
And live with their first acoustic session - Gary Bynorth and Paul Hill from Doojip, current faves of Pete Townshend and endorsed by the Who.
The Prog Chorus - Podrophenia and SFOB with Rick Wakeman and Dylan Howe
For our brand new edition of Podrophenia we take you on a magical mystery tour of rock and pop prestidigitation: Soul, country, funk, indie, rock 'n' roll - it's all in the cauldron of our 'Magic' themed show.
We've got an appearance from Pellicci legend Juke Box Jimmy, a fourtieth anniversary track selected by Pete from Fives Records, all the news from Fives 40th birthday celebrations,
We also reveal John Medd's tip off on a Wetherspoons secret and what is Swede Face with record sleeves..
AND the world exclusive airing of The Bongolians new single
I'm a Bigger Badder Bro Than Any Game Of Thrones
Dig and download here..
The latest Podrophenia is up for download and features the twin team-up of harmonica legend West Weston (who's played with Wilko Johnson, Roger Daltry and Muddy Water's son Mud Morganfield) - and friend of Hendrix, Doug Kaye.
Both West and Doug bring in some faves to play from their impeccable record collections. All here for your listening ears...
In the later sixties. Doug Kaye worked at his brother's Brook Street restaurant Mr Love - where Jimi Hendrix rented a small apartment above the shop, Doug was also the resident DJ at Mr Love and is featured in the recreation of Jimi's flat, and in the book Hendrix at Home.
Most of the albums played in this Podrophenia have been touched by the hand of Hendrix as Doug regularly lent albums to Jimi. So buckle up for crackling, popping top quality tracks from Doug's vinyl collection with tales of his time at Mr Love including meets with Jimi Hendrix, Nina Simone, Keith Moon, Dave Mason, Dusty, Richie Havens, Rahsaan Roland Kirk and a ton of others...
You can download here , stream below - or grab via iTunes
For our latest Podrophenia, we're joined by special guest Doug Kaye who worked at Mr Love on Brook Street, the restaurant below Jimi Hendrix's flat during the late 60s..
Turn on, tune in and buckle up as Doug relays tales of Hendrix favourite meal, sleb guests swinging though and which Beatle trod on a lodger's head..
Every track Doug picks is played from an album he lent to Jimi. Each album is literally touched by the hand of Hendrix - it's a scrolling roll-call of mod jazz, funk and soul.
All here plus a live acoustic mod soul set from Gary Bynorth..
Download here
Like The Who sang - the kids are alright... As Piley and I are joined by P & M Jr for our Generations edition.
There's also a phone in from Eddy Pile (Piley senior) , tunes from our uncles (The Essex Brothers. and David Morley in The Habits) Plus surprise appearances from Ruben Caruana Steve Taylor and Liz van Gorkom 'n' Hans. Along with a new Mark Vidler Go Home Productions mashup and some genius impressions of the Dad's Army cast by Tiny Piley age 7
For those about to read - we salute you: rock. rollers and rumblers - fill your bovver boots with the latest Vive Le Rock - an Aussie special, featuring a piece from you know who on the Australian/NZ only Yoof Cult - Sharpies...
Dig around the back pages you'll also find me giving a critical ear to Johnny Thunders live L.A.M.F.
A couple of reviews submitted, which didn't make the final edit due to space issues were -
Beat Bespoke 6 and the Memphis Dawls - but nothing goes to waste, so dig in below
Le Beat Bespoké 6 Detour Records 7/10 Turn on, tune in, freak out - Underground, overground rumbling free
The essence of Beat Bespoké volume 6 straddles the 67-72 era when mods became rockers, rockers turned hippy and hippies got heavy. The mood of these freshly-picked finds is one of frizzy hair, fuggy clubs, open air freak-outs and underground festivals. From the fuzzy stoner rock of Jerry Holmes ‘I’m The Man’ and Spontaneous Generation’s ‘Purple Purple’ to Chris Rayburn’s ‘One Way Ticket’ with its thumping drums and Are You Being Served strings, to the in-kraut sound of Marian Ruxell’s ‘It’s So Much The Better’ and the galloping garage of The Tears ‘Rat Race’ - BB6 gathers together a collection of heavy mod, garage nuggets and psych pop that wouldn’t sound out of place on the Dracula AD 72 soundtrack. A new addition to an already healthy back catalogue, and where the New Untouchables begin to give Psychic Circle's Instro Hipster series a run for their money
Memphis Dawls - Rooted to the Bone Madjack Records 7/10 Hello Dawlies – potent debut from the Jack White endorsed all-girl trio
For all of its broad country trimmings and western trappings, echoing from The Carter Family and Tammy Wynette to The Handsome Family and Doc Watson, scratch beneath the surface of the Memphis Dawls Sun Studio recorded album and I wouldn’t be surprised to find a broader book of influences subtly colouring the collection that makes up Rooted to the Bone. ‘Liar’ has the soulful horns and harmonies of Aretha in Alabama for her Muscle Shoals sessions ‘Skin Like a Cage’ could be an Allen Toussaint twist on Bacharach and David standard. While the American Gothic of ‘Shadows’ shuffles with a dark-hearted gumbo groove. And ‘Please Don't Leave Me’ takes a transatlantic hop to tap up Kate Bush, Bridget St John and The Beatles. An album of folk-soaked confessionals and galloping cowgirl anthems with a pop sensibility that saddles it somewhere between Gillian Welch and Aimee Mann
If you're a fan of Joe Strummer/Paul Weller/From The Jam/ The Alarm/The Bluetones/Hoodrats Thee Faction - behold as Thee Cee Cees, a collective polling players from all of the previous, parks up at The Railway tomorrow to officially launch their strictly limited 7" 'Have An Analysis' on Podrophenia Records.
Support comes from The Ends and Stern John, with Andy Lewis DJing til chucking out time, A bumper bundle all for free Southenders and out of towners
But, book early as for the last Podrophenia event the The Railway doors had to be locked as we'd reached max capacity by ten pm.
So, could you click here if you're coming on Friday - so we know how many to expect .. salut..
Behold rockers, rollers and revolutionaries as we bring you the next single released on the Podrophenia record label.. a sizzling seven inch slab of socialist stomping pop that'a had meeja movers 'n' shakers describing it thus...
DANNY BAKER “enough invention and energy to power three-quarters of Europe”
ZOE HOWE “swaggering, sexy, hard-boiled rock ‘n’ roll with a conscience and a point to make”
Vive Le Rock magazine "9/10"
But who are Thee Cee Cees: a heavy-hitting line-up of punk ‘n’ Britpop rockers, fuelled by the spirit of industrial strength Thames Delta rockers and Oil City Rollers..
Steve ‘Smiley’ Barnard on drums (Strummer/Foxton/Archive/The Alarm) Adam Devlin (The Bluetones’s) - guitar Billy Brentford (Thee Faction) on rhythm & polemic Andy Lewis (Paul Weller/Spearmint/Drugstore) bass & memotron Chris T-T (Xtra Mile recording artiste & D.I.Y. music expert ) vocals Kerry Schultz & Darren Hayman on other vocals
Buckle up and behold side A below
Dates and details, of wheres and whens will be with you shortly. And the first Podrophnonic airing of side 2 is due soon/ Salut
Behold the latest Podrophenia is now up for download.
We've got Steve from Steve's Salt Beef bar in giving us the history of this brisket based treat, a pop in from sharp-shooting photographer - Paul Hughes and 12 food themed tunes that are so more-ish you'll come back for seconds...
But how two flavours? Piley provides you with a meat-feast menu, while I offer a veggie option..
It's available for free as an mp3 DL here, from the SFOB site, or via iTunes
It's that time of year when Southend's answer to St Ives - Leigh on Sea, puts on a parade of the finest artistic talent from in and outside of the area with its Art Trail. Taking a polite ramble around the upper regions of SS9, The Broadway, Leigh Road, or down to to the Old Town, you can tick off a list of thirty six artists displaying at twenty three venues - shops, cafes and bars. From dynamic ceramics to local musician themed coasters on sale at Micky Denny's improv Record Shop.. which, will be host to a few in-store performances on Saturday 14th June...
For earthier entertainment of a Saturday night, at Southend's most musical boozer - The Railway, there's a double fisted ding-dong of Thames Delta dynamite and London garage a go-go..
In the Essex corner:Bif Bam Pow return the The Railway for their first gig since, booming the roof off in their pre-season friendly with the Len Price 3 (match report here at The Retroman Blog).
In the Capital Corner: Londiniums Sonic Jewels head the up the bill. Described as 'Hendrix, MC5 and The Stooges whilst giving a nod of approval to 70's Glam Rock'
In between and after these two sets of tear-aways -I'll be pitching simpatico sounds into a strictly non playlisted run of whatever-fits-the-mood-tunes....
A couple roaring hits of late have included..
It all starts 8:30pm Southend Central Time. Come on down and shake whatever wobbles....
Buckle up and behold seasiders and out-of-towners as the Retro Man Blog and Podrophenia have gathered together to bring you a three course menu of Thames-bred treats for your consumption this Saturday at Southend's most musical boozer - The Railway Hotel....
Starters: all the way from Memphis Canvey - Oil City rockers Bif Bam Pow, bring you the best in R 'n' B, boogaloo and estuary fed belters
Mains: imported from the Kent-side of the Thames Delta, Medway mods and power-poppers the Len Price 3, will be booming around the room with tunes from their minty new compendium Nobody Knows..
Desert(or cheese board): An aftershow in the bar with Podrophenia pals Piley and the other one, pinging in shakers and stompers until Chucking out-O-Clock...
It all starts at 8:30 Southend Central Time. But, best arrive early though - as we've got gig-goers (Miss Liz) coming all the way from Memphis Holland for this one...
People of Podrophenia, tonight we bring you the October edition of Podrophenia, wherein we celebrate twenty years of Blow Up - the club, the label and the bands. A club with it's roots in the Southend Scene - starting at the Monkey House, Croc's. and The Periphery
Piley and I will be joined by Blow Up's Generalissimo Paul Tunkin for some, natter chatter and tunes covering the club's back catalogue, current releases and at some point, hope to reveal a world exclusive on a new tune...
Kick off's 8pm Southend Central Time at Ship Full of Bombs, swing by and join us - or park up at our all new chat room (holding up to 7000 chatterboxes) to chip in...
Spot the sample - what was Herbie's bassline borrowed for?
Doodle a red ring around next Monday! As, in the tradition of Mighty Marvel Team-Ups we unite the Pouch of Douglas and Podrophenia to bring you ..... Pouchophenia.
A mixed medium of drinking, dancing and doodling and one of many events gathering together to form the Leigh Art Trail -
Come on down for sketching, shaking. sipping and special guests at The Ship - it's all free...details and
doings are hereabouts
