The Paranoid Squirrel

The Paranoid Squirrel ep 494

On this week show for your delectation I have The Wildhearts as I talk about Ginger Wildheart’s gig at The Forum on the 1^st April. I then take you into Crowd Funding mode with a track from the Role Models, I bumped into Role Model main man Rich Rags at Ginger’s gig and he has to be the most enthusiastic person in Rock, then it’s two tracks from the UK Subs, one from the bands soon to be released last album “Ziero” and one featuring Captain Sensible. No it’s not “Party In Paris”. Former Radio Birdman guitarist Chris Masuak and The Viveiro Wave Riders’ fund to get “Brujita” released on CD has come to fruition, so obviously I air a track from it. The last band in this week’s Crowd Funding section comes courtesy of Last Great Dreamers who are out and about at the moment supporting Tigertailz. A band that contacted me with a view to playing a track of theirs were A Capital Threat from Sweden. I’m glad they did as I thoroughly enjoyed them and I hope you do too. Moving over the Channel to France I play you a track by a band that I know next to nothing about. The band in question is called Western Machine. Their debut album “From Lafayette to Sin City” is chock full of New York Dolls & Stooges Rawk! Good stuff. The Mutants, whose core members consist of  Chris Constantinou, Paul Frazer, and Mr Rat Scabies, have for their third album “Your Desert, My Mind” gone all Desert Session and enlisted the likes of Chris Goss. So far I only have the title track to play you and that’s only an instrumental, but I love it and can’t wait for the full album in September. Bath 70s inspired reprobates Ulysses have a brand new album out on 3^rd June called “Law and Order” via Black Glove Recordings. To celebrate this fact I play a track from it. Following straight afterwards is a song from Plague Vendor who have just started a UK Tour. Moving North of the Border to Edinburgh the Heavy Drapes sight The Sex Pistols, The Damned’s first album, The Ramones, the MC5, Iggy Pop and The New York Dolls as influences. Obviously this got me interested and they did not disappoint me as hopefully you will hear. Up next it’s a quick blast from The Mants with Cheap Trick and The London Orion Orchestra featuring Alice Cooper and Rick Wakeman finishing things off for you this week.

The Paranoid Squirrel ep 492

Welcome to Episode 492 of The Paranoid Squirrel Rock Show and kicking things off this week are the Von Hertzen Brothers, who I recently caught up at the Brooklyn Bowl, with a song that they didn’t play live. As threatened, promised I play more from the Generators “Earn Your Stripes” LP, who join the Chelsea Smiles in “The Bands I kick myself for missing live” category. To whit I play a Chelsea Smiles demo just to make myself feel bad. Onto sort of new music with a track off the re-issued album from the Struts which is swiftly followed by Pink Cigar and the audio from the video from their last single(?!) We then travel to Poland for Poison Heart and a track from their brand new album “Strong Ties”. The band are very much influenced by Scandinavian Rock from the late 90’s. Great stuff! Dee Dee Ramone gives the answer to the Ramones Competition.Obviously a Ramones track is aired. Back onto new or upcoming releases with The Breakdowns, the Drama Club Rejects and the b-side to Strängen’s new 7”. Jimmy Lacey formally of The Roolettes, Kill Cartel, Gabba, X.O.X and Saetta Bloody Saetta new band, I say band but it’s only Jimmy, Young Francis released a new ep at the beginning of the month called “Trouble”. I say on the show that the track I’m going to play is the title track. It isn’t, I cocked it up and queued the wrong track and then went for a comfort break and didn’t realise until it was too late. As we move into the home straight I regale my story of Steve Nicol original drummer in Eddie & the Hot Rods accidently failing to signmy Damned, Damned, Damned Hot Rods sleeve. Music wise a track from “Generation Me” the third album from The Treatment is played which is swiftly followed by Thunderbitch who I think accidently and unintentionally sound like the New York Dolls. With a name like that I assumed Thunderbitch were an all Girl band from Scandinavia. They’re not but Alabama Shakes' Brittany Howard's side project. The last trackon this week’s show comes courtesy of Gary Kaye & The Enemies Of Promise and “Nicky Morgan’s Eyes”, which is a superb take on the Adverts “Gary Gilmore’s Eyes”.      

The Paranoid Squirrel ep 488

Welcome to Episode 488 of The Paranoid Squirrel Rock Show. This was almost scuppered by my goodself contracting the Flu. It had already seen me miss The DeRellas and the Witchdoktors down in Brighton on Thursday, The Fiascos debut gig yesterday in Wallington and even worse CJ Wildheart tonight in Hoxton. However the show must go on, again. The Stooges are at the top of this week’s show and are swiftly followed by The Damned. Remarquable Records are all set to release their third Johnny Thunders 1978 set of vinyl recordings. This time around it’s a full on album. Obviously Mr. Genzale Jr is played, as is his old sparring partner Arthur Kane with a track from his band The Killer Kane Band, natch, only 7” “Mr Cool” that features a young Blackie Lawless. As I’ve been getting into the TV series “Vinyl” I play a track by Jack Ruby whose material is used by house band The Nasty Bits in the show. Mötley Crüe are up next even if I don’t play the intended track. I’m ill. Prophets of Addiction and The Cruel Intentions bring us up to date in the Glam/Sleaze/Hair department. In the super new release section The Yorkshire Rats are up first with a track from their “Trouble City” EP. Los Pepes are second airing a song from their forthcoming album “All Over Now” which is out on the Wanda label in May. Before I play a brand spanking new Black Halos track I announce the winner of the red Vinyl “The Violent Years” LP. I then run another competition to win the new Hard Action 7” “Hands Dripping Red” courtesy of Bootleg Booze Records. It’s Motorpsycho however that end this week’s show with a track from their new “Here Be Monsters” album. Stay well.      

The Paranoid Squirrel ep 485

As it was 40 years last Thursday that The Ramones entered Plaza Sound to record one of the most landmark albums ever to appear on vinyl I start and finish this week’s show off with The Brothers and two tracks taken from those sessions. Deptford’s finest The Phobics are up next with a track taken from their last album “Deptford Calling”. New to The Paranoid Squirrel Rock Show are from Spain The Assclats and a track taken from their debut “Punk” ep. A musician who is certainly no stranger to this show is CJ Wildheart who has just released his second Pledge Music album “Robot”. Those who have pledged will already have heard it, for everybody else you’ll have to wait until the 12^th when it gets its official release. For those of you still hovering over the “Undecided Button” to help you click that mouse I play something from it. Sticking with the Wildhearts interconnectedness The Dowling Poole who just so happen to feature Random Jon Poole and Willy Dowling are gathering momentum for their Pledge album “One Hyde Park”. You might’ve seen the video to “Rebecca Receiving”. If you haven’t I give you the audible equivalent. Tigertailz had their sights set on Eurovision greatness but that was before Auntie Beep sent them a “Bugger off” generic e-mail consigning the UK to the bottom half of the Eurovision Song Contest table. Some people/Countries you just can’t help. Fortunately enough the band put it out anyway. Naturally I play it. We’ve had Deptford’s finest so now I turn my attention to Croydon’s finest and Courage Best Bitter Band of The Year 1978 Johnny Moped whose 3^rd album “It’s A Real Cool Baby” is all set for release on the 25^th March via Damaged Goods Records. A single from the album was released late last year with a brand new one “Real Cool Baby” hitting the real and virtual Record Shops on the 29^th of last month. The yellow vinyl version gets an airing. (It’s my favourite Colour) “What’s In Arm’s Attic” makes its long overdue return with me finding a box of Cassette Tapes one of which was a live recording by The Family Butcher from the Summer of 1990 down in Brighton. The Family Butcher were Captain Sensible, Paul Gray, Garrie Dreadful and Malcolm Dixon. Obviously I play a couple form it. In hindsight I should've run it though my AudioLab to beef up the sound as it does sound a bit weedy in places. Even so it's still great to hear. Sticking with live recordings The Nomads are up next with a track taken from their Ghost Highway Recordings album "El Sol - Live In Madrid". As we approach the final furlong Boston's The Black Cheer give us "Everything" from their "Sick Gun" album with The Claypool Lennon Delirium, who as the name implies features Les Claypool from Primus and Sean Lennon, almost take us over the finishing line with their first fruits recording together. However, as I've already mentioned it's The Ramones that closes off this week's show.

The Paranoid Squirrel ep 479

My battle with Man-flu is the underlining theme on today’s show. On the musical front though DENIMGOAT, who sport Danne McKenzie, Nicke Borg, Richie Puzz, Max Diesel and Ida Evileye in their ranks have just released a cover of Phil Lynott’s “Nineteen” which obviously I play. Can you believe it’s been 30 years since he died? Even more worrying is that later on this year it’ll be Cliff Burton’s. Hey! Hello! have a track aired from their second album, “Hey! Hello! Too!” which has me more than excited. As the latest Classic Rock Magazine reviews Dirtbag Republic’s debut album for the second time I feel the need to play something off it. Up next are the LLUNATIKS who hail from Villalonga, Spain and a track from their “Ultra Rock” album. Then as I’m seeing the UK Subs tonight at the 100 Club as part of the Resolution Festival I hold my own mini one by playing classic tracks from the Anti-Nowhere League, GBH, Discharge, Chelsea and the UK Subs. Missing from the Festival were the Damned and or associated former or current members, so I redress the situation by playing the last recording that Captain, Rat and Paul Gray did together. It’s a riot. There’s a clue for you. As the World and her husband are talking about Guns ‘n’ Roses I join in with my two pennies worth playing one of their tracks in the process. The Cruel Intensions, who feature former Vains of Jenna vocalist Lizzy DeVine, make their second appearance on The Paranoid Squirrel Rock Show with their new single. I finish this week’s show off with The Heavy Eyes who last fm describe as “psychedelic bluesy rock from the delta that sounds similar to a skeleton driving a speed boat on a flaming Mississippi River headed back to 1969.” Sold to the man with the snotty nose and cough!  

The Paranoid Squirrel ep 476

Welcome to Episode 476 of The Paranoid Squirrel Rock show and the final live gig from me this year. The band who hold this position are Ghost recorded at The Camden Palace (KOKO) on the last date of their 2015 European Tour. Unfortunately the sound quality isn’t up to my normal standards, I did think about shelving this episode until an alternative recording became available but then you wouldn’t hear me rant about the three extremely young industry types who were standing behind us who chatted throughout the whole gig hence the quality issue. Apart from that Ghost were bloody brilliant, they have really brought a breath of fresh air into the Rawk scene. For those of you who are going “Ghost who?” here’s a brief synopsis courtesy of Wikipedia so it’s bound to be inaccurate: “Five of the group's six members wear virtually identical, face-concealing costumes. The most distinguishable member is the vocalist, who sports skull face paint, appearing as what can be described as a "demonic anti-Pope". Each album cycle has brought about a change in the band's appearance. The vocalist is always portrayed as the same archetype character, but has slight appearance changes and even personality traits are altered from former versions. The band members' true identities are kept anonymous, as their actual names have not been publicly disclosed. The vocalist calls himself Papa Emeritus and according to band folklore there have been three different characters taking the name Papa Emeritus, each younger than the last. The first welcomed the second Papa Emeritus on December 12, 2012 in Linkoping. On June 3, 2015, the second Papa Emeritus welcomed his younger brother as the new Papa Emeritus after being "fired" due to not performing his duty in overthrowing governments and churches. Papa Emeritus II and Papa Emeritus III were stated to only have a 3-month difference in age. It is believed that all versions of Papa Emeritus are actually portrayed by the same guy.” No really?! “The musicians are referred to only as Nameless Ghouls each with a different symbol; Fire - lead guitar, Water - Bass, Air - Keyboards, Earth - drummer and Aether - rhythm guitar.”

So there you go.

The Wall Rock Radio 06-10-15

As you know The Paranoid Squirrel Rock Show airs on The Wall Rock Radio for the East Midlands every Saturday for an hour at 7’o clock with a repeat Tuesday evening. As Episode 459 was nearly 1¾ hours long for The Wall listeners the show ended after “Condition Hüman” by Queensÿche. So instead of a Tuesday repeat I rerecorded the last 45 minutes, shuffling songs in the process, The BossHoss are now on first instead of last. I also added new songs like “Jet Boy, Jet Girl” by Elton Motello which was the original English version of “Ça Plane Pour Moi”, played something off Uncle Acid and The Deadbeats’ new album “Night Creeper”, swapped the Graveyard tune for anotherwith even a live Hydromatics track to end this non repeat Tuesday hour off. I did splice the original show with this new one with a view to reuploading it as it worked a whole lot better than the last 45 minutes of Saturday’s show. Towards the end I was flagging due to lack of sleep, and it shows, thanks to the Gas Board digging up the side of our house to fix a Gas leak at 12:30 in the morning. However deleting and adding again to Podbean seemed more trouble than was actually necessary. So here is the Tuesday non repeat ofThe Paranoid Squirrel Rock Show on The Wall Rock Radio in all its glory, featuring; The BossHoss, Elton Motello, Dirtbag Republic, Michael Monroe, The Shondikes, The Tartan Horde, Giuda, The Bones (Twice), Tank, Uncle Acid and The Deadbeats, Graveyard with The Hydromatics live.

The Paranoid Squirrel ep 459

Well today got off to a great start with the Gas Board digging up our side path to fix a Gas leak at 12:30 this morning. No Sleep ‘til Hammersmith indeed. Consequently if I sound like I’m on speed towards the end of this nearly two hour show, you’ll know why.

On the musical front Russkaja, the Austrian equivalent to The Leningrad Cowboys, start things off, then it’s some Classic Backyard Babies in demo form who are swiftly followed by some up to date UFO. A track from Operation: Mindcrime’s debut album is aired and then it’s a live in the studio song from Bernie Torme to promote his new album, Blackheart and subsequent tour. Compare and Contrast is back with The Boys prosecuting The Towers of London. Now when I started this podcast back in 2007 I never in a million years thought I’d be playing a Prog Rock track by The Pope. Yes The Pope as in his Holiness Pope Francis, but today on this episode I do. How do you follow the Pontiff? You follow him with some Barbe-Q-Barbies and a track from their new album “Driven”. (It’s a good job I’m not Catholic, how many Hail Mary’s?). Darren Birch, Walter Lure’s European bassist, e-mailed to tell me that it was in fact Ozzie who was drumming at The Jazz Cafe and not Martin Ashston as I claimed. Darren is also in The Black Bombers who are head to head with The Hip Priests tonight in Digbeth and it’s only a Fiver to get in. So Get In!  New to The Paranoid Squirrel are Swedish Garage Merchants The Deadheads with a track off their second and new album “Loadead” On the Pledge front Mustasch’s new album arrived last week, signed. Well when I say signed the CD lid was, not the actual booklet. Obviously I play a track which for some reason had me think of Sabbath. Queensryche also fan funded their latest album “Condition Human” however I bought the regular version. The band certainly seem to have found their Mojo which has been absent for most of this century as hopefully you’ll agree on hearing it. Uber Rocks’ Dom Daley pointed me in the (one) direction of The Shondikes. Who he says and I quote “If you still have a shred of life in your rock 'n' roll heart and you want to hear a great record then take a chance on The Shondikes because if you're true to yourself then you will love this record like your first born” On that review I purchased their self-released album “Psychotic Make Out Music” CD and share a track. A band that has got me all excited is from Vancouver Dirtbag Republic featuring Sandy Hazard and Mick Wood formerly of Grandma Moses. Think Rolling Stones, Cheap Trick, NY Dolls, Sex Pistols, Aerosmith, Hanoi Rocks and The Ramones. Now you know why I’m excited. They even cover a Professionals track! Michael Monroe’s latest album “Blackout States” is released next Friday. Wanna sneaky listen to a track? Oh all right.....Joyous news reach me last week that the Bay City Rollers are to reform, well three of the classic line-up are. Pre-Christmas gigs have been booked which sold out in seconds. Hopefully a London date will be forthcoming. To mark this news from 1975, The Tartan Horde’s one and only single “Bay City Rollers – We Love You” is played. If you are scratching your head as to why.....Nick Lowe and a pre Rat Scabies Chris Miller aka Mouse Modem play on it, which leads nicely into the new single by Giuda. Up next are two tracks from The Bones, one is in Germany whilst the other is the English equivalent. Rattling towards the end of this week’s show we have new music from Tank, Graveyard who are due over here with Imperial State Electric and finally it’s The BossHoss who add the full stop to proceedings.  

The Paranoid Squirrel ep 454

So last Friday, that was the 4^th September, the Von Hertzen Brothers hot from their Prog Award acoustic appearance, played the Underworld in Camden. I did think this was rather a strange choice of venue as the last time I saw them, which was only in April; they played the much bigger Dome in Tufnell Park. I did challenge their Record label boss as to why, and the short and easy answer was that it was the only available London venue. Not that I was complaining as there is a club on afterwards so there is a 10’o clock curfew, which meant I was tucked up in bed on the same day as the gig! Now I’m not sure whether it was because the Underworld was packed to the gunwales but the sound was gloriously spot on. Siblings Kie, Mikko and Jonne who were joined, as usual, by drummer, also called, Mikko and keyboardist Juha, looked like they were having a whale of a time, especially Mikko, the brother not the drummer, although.....and is it just me but aren’t the Brothers starting to look like the Bee Gees? Jonne is Robin, Mikko is Barry and Kie Maurice.

The Paranoid Squirrel ep 453

Welcome to this Paranoid Squirrel Mid-week special otherwise known as “The Armitage & Moose Show” (hence the quickly cobbled together Rocky & Bullwinkle artwork) or to call it by its actual real title “The Team Rock Breakfast Show Friday 4^th September 2015”. So last Friday I sat in with Moose on the Free Spin Friday part of his and JRock’s Breakfast Show. J Rock unfortunately was sided lined which was handy as there were only two chairs in the studio. Over the course of the show I cast the odd pearl of wisdom in the direction of Moose that he managed to successfully deflect and I give poor advice on how to increase podcasting listenership. All this whilst music that you always hear on the radio is played, well is Free Spin Friday. I also discover that the studio has no CD player meaning my **ahem** gift of the new Sick Livers and Role Models albums go un-played. If you want to hear all this for yourself the show is currently available to stream here for a limited time or if you wish to download it to listen on you mp3 player or iPod you can on my regular platforms. (For iTunes change it from Music to a Podcast file so you can flip flop between other music and pick it up where you left off, not that you’d want to but the choice is there).