The Paranoid Squirrel

The Paranoid Squirrel ep 515

I start this week’s show off with two classic tracks; firstly, Motörhead and then Whitesnake. New music comes in the shape and form of Indoria who feature Chuck Mosley on vocals, who contrary to what I said on last week’s show is now playing a London date this October. Swiftly following on straight after are Suicidal Tendencies and a track from their soon to be released “World Gone Mad” album. Off the back of the Richie Ramone track that I played last week Pete from The Gobshites got in contact with a link to his band’s “The Whistle Before The Snap” album that features Richie Ramone. “Guinness-inspired Celtic rock with a punk-ass twist that gives your pants and pints a kick” is how The Gobshites have been described and who am I to argue? A couple of Facebook nominations lead me to air a track from “Parts Unknown” by The Hydromatics before I home back in on new releases with The Radicals, who celebrated the 1^st Anniversary of their demise by issuing an ep of stuff they wished they’d put out when they were still a going concern. Obviously I play a track from it. Up next it’s the Dead Pirates with a track from their debut album “Highmare” then St. Tropez provide us with the last new track of this week. Thanks to Henry Rollins’ KCRW Radio Show from the 14^th August I play an Alternative TV track which I hadn’t heard for years. However, it’s that little known ex-Croydon based Beat Combo The Damned that takes us to the hour mark and the end of Episode 515.   

The Paranoid Squirrel ep 514

Starting the turntable going this week are the UK Subs and one of the tracks from their “November 1977 Demo 7”” I was hoping to play you on last week’s show but was thwarted by Royal Mail. Richie Ramone has just released his second album called “Cellophane” a track of which I play. I did heartily chuckle at the spoof news that the remaining Ramones were reuniting for one final t-shirt. After bumping to Mat Sargent last Saturday at The Fiascos gig in Croydon I was stoked to learn that Jimmy Pursey was visiting his Record label with a view to finally releasing the Day 21 album. To whit I play a track from them from the “We Are All Prisoners” CD. Onto more new music in the shape and form of The Backstabbers and The Hangovers before I hit the pledge section for Ryan Hamilton & The Traitors, The Vibrators and Adam Bomb who has gone down a new route for me in www.tradiio.com which is like a mainstream version of Ginger’s G.A.S.S. where you pay the musician a nominal monthly fee to gain access to demos, live gigs, unreleased tracks. You know the score. As I’ve unfortunately missed The Cavemen from New Zealand on two separate occasions I try and get forgiveness by playing a track by them before The Dictators come screaming in. Faith No More have just released a deluxe version of their debut “We Care A Lot” album with a host of demos, live tracks and some stunning re-mixes. One of which I obviously play. It’s a dirty job but someone’s got to do it. After eight years Metallica have finally released a brand new track which is taken from their forthcoming album which is due out in November. Is it a return to form or are they treading water with no lifeboat in sight? Rounding things off for another week are The Professionals and a Monitor Mix from their Box Set and The Sonic Rendezvous Band with a live recording of that iconic track.

The Paranoid Squirrel ep 513

As I finished last week’s episode with some Slade I decided to hammer home that the fact that the band were more than just one Christmas Record and a handful of badly spelt song titles by starting this week’s with the live version of “Rock ‘n’ Roll Preacher” taken from the “Ruby Red” double 7”. Once again the UK Subs are the subject of “Waiting for The Postman to deliver my stuff” with regards to their November 1977 4 track 7” Demo. Instead I play a demo track from their Cleopatra “Endangered Species” Deluxe 2CD re-issue. New music firstly takes us to the streets of my former neighbourhood Croydon, (I moved a whole quarter of a mile to the next borough) to the first release by The Fiascos. “Who are they?” I hear you cry. Well I shall enlighten you; Richie Hudson, guitar vocals, Keef Gibbs, guitar vocals, Robin Guy drums and Ben Lawson on bass vocals. Who released yesterday the aforementioned new release in the form of a single “Built For Speed” / “Olivia”. As I’ve already played the a-side on Episode 503 it’s the b-side that gets aired. Stand by for some great Powerpop magic! And if you’re quick off the mark the band are playing the Odd Shoe in Croydon tonight. A band that I didn’t get to see on the last Ginger Wildheart tour was, apart from the Main Grains, Massive Wagon. To readdress this I went out and got the band’s latest offering “Welcome To The World” and thoroughly enjoyed what I heard. Elements of Volbeat but without James Hetfield on vocals. Moving over to Italy for The Leeches and the b-side of their current 7” gets an airing. A bad I knew nothing about were Thee Oh Sees, but as I got sent their new CD “A Weird Exits” I thought I’d give it a spin. I’m sure Henry Rollins is a big fan. A band I do know a lot about are The Cadillac Three who have just released their new album “Bury Me In My Boots”. If you like Deep Southern Rock you’ll love them. Staying with the deep South, but this time the South in question is South London, it seemed only right and proper to play some Peckham Cowboys. Redd Kross’ Jeff McDonald’s 1999 solo album has just been re-released on vinyl, as the original which came out as a CD-R is rarer than rare thing, on the Bang! Record label. Of course I play a track from it. Crowd Funding Fan funded releases are up next with The Lords of Altamont kicking things off who are swiftly followed by the voice of The Bay City Rollers Les McKeown, who in turn is topped off by Sweet Creature who sport Martin Sweet from Crashdiet  and Tin Star from Gemini Five. Rounding things off for this week is a rough and ready demo from Billy Rath’s Street Pirates as it would’ve been the former Heartbreakers Birthday last Monday.  

The Paranoid Squirrel ep 512

Greetings from this week’s Paranoid Squirrel Rock Show. Getting things movin’ and a groovin’ are The Backyard Babies who are swiftly followed by The Wildhearts. Careering full steam ahead into new music are City Saints, The Unknown and Valient Thorr before I review The Hip Priests 10^th Anniversary London gig with choice cuts from all involved. That’ll be Flash House, The Role Models and of course The Hip Priests themselves. Back to new music and The Pollutions and Craggy Collyde take us into this weeks Fan Funded corner that feature The Damned, The Vibrators and Sharks. The last new music comes courtesy of The Quireboys before I get all teary eyed over the fact that I never saw Slade in their 70s, 80’s heyday.  

The Paranoid Squirrel ep 511

In a fun filled packed show this week which, fortunately or unfortunately depending on your point of view, exceeds its hour mark by five odd minutes. Getting things off to a flying start are the Watts and a track from their third album which is swiftly followed by The Drama Clubs Rejects a band that features ex Wildheart and an ex Almighty members. Keeping the interconnection going The Main Grains are up next who also sport an ex Wildheart member with a track from their “Don’t Believe Everything You Think” mini album. For the next section we move into the live arena with the debut live performance of Hey! Hello! Mkiii up at the Brooklyn Bowl. As you know Hey! Hello! features Ginger, The Rev, Ai, Toshi and new vocalist Cat. Let’s hope Cat has the staying power of Jeremy Corbyn as she has the vocal ability of Victoria and the stage presence of Hollis. Following Hey! Hello! were Ryan Hamilton & the Traitors. Ryan looked familiar in a Ginger Birthday Bash guest kind of way but two of his Traitors were recognised straight away as Rob Lane aka Laney 74 and drummer Michael Richards played with Johnny Monaco back in 2012. Of course closing the show were The Ginger Wildheart Band that for this tour features Electric Boy and ex Hanoi Rocks guitarist Conny Bloom, Toshi with Denzil sitting on the drummers’ stool. The last time I saw Ginger in full electric band mode was at his re-arranged Birthday Bash in April where I came away disappointed. Nothing could’ve been further from the truth this time around as I came away veritably skipping down the road as it was probably the best I’ve seen Mr. Wildheart in a long-time. Back into the realms of studio land and the Hip Priests, who I saw last night and you’ll probably hear next week, were selling an 8” Record. That’s right, 8”. Obviously I play it. A band that I’ve known all about since 1987 when they played the Clarendon in Hammersmith are Dinosaur Jr. No I didn’t go as I was over the road at Hammersmith Odeon seeing King Diamond. However, I’ve never owned anything by them. That was until “Give A Glimpse Of What Yer Not” arrived in my inbox. Bearing in mind I’ve never knowingly heard anything by them I think that Dave Grohl probably spends most of his free time exactly doing that. Great stuff. Perversely I own all (no pun intended) of the Descendents releases but have never listened to any of them, that was until I received “Hypercaffium Spazzinate”. I blame Andy from the very excellent “Fear & Loathing” for me not listening to any Descendents…… It’s a fun filled punk pop album which means I’m going to slowly listen to the rest. Following on from the Descendents are The Reaction who were active between 1980-1981 releasing two eps in the process. Fortunately, these two eps along with a host of demos and live records were made available in 2011 by Cheap Records as the “Saturday’s Gone Wild” LP. Up next more new music in the shape and form a track from the new Bouncing Souls album “Simplicity” and don’t forget to look out for them at Rebellion with UK dates either side. The Sides Eyes and Redd Kross have just issued a split 7” called “Songs That Chargo Taught Us”. The Side Eyes tackle “Don’t Talk To Me” whilst Redd Kross blast us with the Go-Go’s classic “Screaming”. I only play one side, to find out which one you’ll have to listen……Henry Heston, former Virus frontman and rhythm guitarist who now resides in LA has just put together The Henry Heston Hollywood All-stars who also, amongst others, features his former Virus sparring bassist John Hess. Only one song so far has sneaked out which obviously I play. Closing this week’s show, even if I do run over my self-imposed one-hour mark, are The Head Cat that of course features Lemmy on vocals and acoustic guitar, Danny B Harvey electric guitar, Slim Jim Phantom drums and Jonny Bowler on Bass and a track from their live album “Rock ‘n’ Roll Riot on Sunset Strip”.  

Ther Paranoid Squirrel ep 510

Some live acoustic Jesse Malin recorded at The Borderline in London last Friday gets this show underway and then, in a six degrees of separation Brijitte West & the Desperate Hopefuls and an exclusive new track, that features some bloke called Rich Jones, from their still pledgable “From N.Y. With Love” album, which is due out in September, gets an airing. Daniel Lioneye who sport various members of H.I.M. have a brand new album out shortly. Proceeding it the band have just released a single from it which obviously I play. Dave Kusworth is up next as one of his previous bands, TV Eye that also featured Black Bomber Dave Twist, are about to get the re-issue treatment. The track I play ended up being recycled by Duran Duran…..Canada is the next port of call with Billy Talent telling us they are “Afraid of Heights”. Power-Pop joy as I discover an American band called Slick! who take me back to the early 1970’s Top of the Pops and Junior Choice. (Ask your Grandad). Following straight on afterwards are Apache who along with Slick! and the BTs will be playing in London on the 4^th September. I played a demo by the Curse on last week’s show; this week it’s the turn of a full blown, fully mixed track from the band’s 2014 album “World Domination”. As I took ownership of the “We Are Twisted Fucking Sister” DVD last week I discuss it and play a song by them to accompany it. Fantasy Lane make their debut appearance on this week’s show and I apologise to Dead Furies for playing a lo-res version of “Listen To T-Rex” by playing a new track from their soon to be released “Devil’s Musik” ep. As a sequel to one of my all-time favourite films, that’ll “Izzat”, is due out on DVD in September I play some Gluecifer and as we hurtle towards the end of this week’s show it is Forbidden Dimensions and The Right Here that take us up to the hour mark.  

The Paranoid Squirrel ep 509

Welcome to (almost) the 9^th Anniversary of The Paranoid Squirrel Rock Show. As with the last 508 shows this one is going to be no different as I’ll still be playing you music that you should hear on the Radio but don’t. Brian James in solo mode get the show started this week but not before I talk about watching the US version of The Damned’s “Don’t You Wish That We Were Dead” DVD. What I have to say might surprise you……News of The Hellacopters announcing a Festival date in Belgium for next July had me doing a “Happy Dance” whilst filling in a Passport Application form. Hopefully I won’t need to use it as they’ll be playing a date over here! (Yes that is a hint) It goes without saying, but I will anyway, that I play a Hellacopters track to celebrate. Following straight on after are The Beatles with an out-take that was only available for five minutes on an iTunes download Beatles official Bootleg album. One of my three all-time favourite drummers, in this instance Mr Simon Edwards, has just joined The Duel. Unfortunately, not in time to be on their soon the be released new album. Even so I play the band’s latest single as after all he is in the video. Former Howling Mad band mate Paul posted a link on Facebook to Asomvel who remind me of Classic era Motörhead. They have a brand new single form their soon to be released second album out at the moment which I play. Up next it’s those Power Pop Punksters The Dahlmanns and their new single. After last week’s vague e-mail from a Guy regarding the band he was in Michael Kane from Michael Kane and The Morning Afters came up trumps with a Biography along with another track from the soon to be released “Adding Insult to Industry” ep for me to play. Which I do. Håkan Göstas bassist with Swedish Garage Rockers The Curse sent me a message via FaceBook that I needed new music. Attached was an unmixed track from the band’s follow up to 2014 “World Domination”. I enjoyed it so much that Håkan sent me four demos, one of which had me humming all day. So instead of playing the unmixed track as I intended, I play the rough and ready demo. You will thank me. Talking of unmixed tracks, I play the “Blink & You Missed It” new Adam Bomb song that was leaked for all of five minutes, twice. Fortunately, the second time I was by my Computer so managed to download it for your listening pleasure. A few weeks ago I mentioned that the US, primarily Southern California, does Glam better than us Brits. Saying it was far more enjoyable driving down Sunset Boulevard listening to Classic Guns ‘n’ Roses than in the pissing British Summer rain listening to Tigertailz. Having said that though; nothing beats cheering you up when driving in pissy weather than Tigertailz. Hence a track from their “Blast” album gets an airing. Former Screeching Weasel and The Methadones man Dan Vapid, along with his “Cheats”, have their third album “All Wound Up” released on 9^th September. A track from it has already officially made it out onto the InterWebs, so it would seem rude not to play it for your listening pleasure. Sad news interrupted me Tuesday whilst I was watching BBC 4’s “Trainspotting LIVE” that the Sick Livers had spit up. Beyond gutted. Bunch of Fucktards. It seems only fitting that I play my favourite track by them as I’m never going to hear it live again. To cheer me and most likely you up I hit the play button on the Role Models latest album “Forest Lawn” I then rant on about Classic Rocks failure to spot the difference between Sean Lennon and Julian Lennon but they manage to redeem themselves to a degree by giving a, quite rightly, glowing review to the Johnny Thunders Remarquable Records double “So Alone” LP. It is Johnny Thunders & The Heartbreakers, featuring Richard Hell, that ends this week’s show.

The Paranoid Squirrel ep 508

It’s Saturday and that can only mean one thing; well probably on reflection Saturday can mean a whole host of different things to different people, but for me as the weekly Tesco shop is put away it’s time for me to play an hours’ worth of music that you should hear on the radio but don’t, even if it is super late this week. Reason being my day job Boss treated us all to free drinks and free food at The Meantime Brewery yesterday to celebrate the company being 19 years old. As you can imagine, put me in a situation with the combination of those two ingredients even with Mrs A. there to keep me relatively on the straight and narrow things aren’t going to end well. Fortunately I didn’t wake up with an 8.2 but in my state of “Fuggness” I forgot the shopping list so spent twice as long in the Supermarket trying to remember what I needed to buy if we were going to eat this week. But I digress. First up are The Turbo ACs and a track from their forthcoming “Radiation” album. I then regale the “Fuck it, let’s get drunk” Team Rock Radio Breakfast Show drink up a couple of weeks ago that had me bumping into former Rachael Stamp, current Scant Regard, She Made Me Do It and Adam Ant Guitarist Will Crewdson where I managed to purloin a She Made Me Do It CDs which I don’t play opting for their current one instead. Sad news reach me last week that The Pipeline in the City come the 23^rd of July due to a massive rent increase will cease to be. I was up their last on the 1^st July to see the Razorbats who were on route to Slugfest 9 with Flash House in support. Of course I review said gig with a Flash House demo and a live Michael Monroe cover courtesy of the Razorbats. Chuck Norris Experiment have a split acoustic single out at the moment (with Trigger McPoopshute) a track of which I play. Unintentionally the next five bands all have links to The Damned. Up first is Stiv Bator, obviously his Damned connection is forming The Lords of the New Church with original Damned guitarist Brian James, with a track from his “Disconnected” album. I then move on The Black Bombers and a track from their debut Easy Action self-titled CD.  The Black Bombers on Wednesday supported Brian James up at The 100 Club and that tenuous link isn’t the only thing that connects them to the Damned. Black Bombers’ bassist Darren Birch also plays in The Godfathers that used to feature Kris Dollimore who played with The Damned between 93-95. So yes Brian James celebrated the 40^th Anniversary of The Damned’s first ever gig which appropriately enough was at The 100 Club supporting The Sex Pistols. Brian had issued an open invitation to Rat, Captain and Dave to join him. Captain on Facebook the day before reminded everyone of the gig, even if he thought it was a day earlier, to celebrate the 40^th anniversary of the release of “New Rose” d’oh. He also quite rightly paid tribute to what Brian had musically achieved back in 76-77. I think we all knew that he’d respectfully declined Brian’s offer. Rat was an obvious yes having played with Brian up until a few years ago. As for Vanian? Even if he is in a Business Partnership with Rat regarding the Stiff back catalogue, the chances of him turning up were nil. It turns out that the One Show had been in earlier filming and interviewing, with a transmission date of September, when who should turn up but Dave Vanian. Also pencilled in was Ginger Wildheart and if he was in the Country Jesse Malin. Of course Vanian was never to be seen of again come show time and with Jesse Malin still on route to the UK it was left to the two Gingers of the Wildheart and Scabies variety to join Brian for the encore of “I Feel Alright” and “New Rose”, the latter of which I play. The Dirty Strangers, who Brian James has been known to join live, have had their “Crime and a Women” CD officially released for the second time. The first was late last year but thanks to Record Label Fucktarderry it was only available for about 5 minutes. Fortunately it’s now readily available on all the normal platforms. Naturally I play a track from it. The last Damned interconnectedness comes from Johnny Moped and a track from their BBC6 Music appearance on July 4^th. I got an e-mail from The Ramones Store informing me the 40^th Anniversary Box-set that I had order has been pushed back to September 9^th at the earliest. Cue gnashing of teeth and wailing. But I still manage to play a Ramones track to cheer me up. I got a very vague e-mail in the week purporting to be from a band that I should check out. The e-mail didn’t inform me of who the band was let along any links, so I copied and pasted the guy who sent me the e-mails name into Facebook and lo and behold he is in a band called Missiles of October. I play the title track form the bands last album. At this point I’m starting to flag, so I play some Dio Sabbath so I can put the kettle on for a cup of tea that hopefully will spring me back into life. It doesn’t, so I end the show this week with some Hellacopters. I’m now going to spend the rest of the day, rest being the operative word, lying down.     

The Paranoid Squirrel ep 507

Welcome to this week’s Paranoid Squirrel Rock Show and as I expected ½ hour after last week’s episode finished the UK Subs 7” featuring the bands 1^strecordings that I’d been waiting to play you turned up, so it’s the b-side of which that kicks things off this week. Up next it’s Izzy Strandlin, the original heart and soul of Guns ‘n’ Roses, who has just released a brand new single, obviously I play it. Legendary Los Angeles Glam Punk band Redd Kross are like the UK Subs in the Vinyl frame with a track from their super limited “Hot Issue - Turn of the Century Rarities” LP getting an airing. In a six degrees of separation I play a track from the latest Melvins album “Basses Loaded” that features six different Bass players. I then move onto the two bands that supported Radio Birdman at the Dome last Sunday, that’ll be the Fuckin’ Godboys from the US of A and Los Chicos from a bit closer to home, Madrid Spain. Of course I play some Birdman as well. Following straight on from Radio Birdman is some Remarquable Records Johnny Thunders.Then “Compare & Contrast” makes an (un)welcomed returned with yet again The Damned in the Dock being prosecuted by The Electras. Moving onto more new music and it’s The Lovesores, The Amorettes and Angels In Vein. Winding things up for this week it’s The Dogs and The Dead Furies.  

The Paranoid Squirrel ep 506

Welcome to Episode 506 of The Paranoid Squirrel Rock Show and on this week’s show I bring you firstly The UK Subs, not the track that I was intending to play as it hasn’t turned up in the post, yet. Over the last week, give or take, I’ve seen three bands that were jaw droppingly good. The first was The DeRellas who I hadn’t seen with Stevie and Bish supporting The Supersuckers last Friday, then last Saturday I wandered up to the o2 in Greenwich to The Stone Free Festival primarily to see The Michael Monroe Band who I knew were going to be good, but I wasn’t prepared for them to be that good, with Alice Cooper pretty much the icing on the weekend’s cake. Obviously I throw in some live DeRellas, Michael Monroe and Alice Cooper. I even find time for some studio Supersuckers. On the Pledge front Brijitte West & The Desperate Hopefuls are front and centre with a new track from their as yet unnamed second album. Next weekend sees Slugfest 9 at The Dolls House, Abertillery in Wales. Three days of Glunk mayhem, to whit I play the Chuck Norris Experiment, The Razorbats and as Baz Francis from Magic Eight Ball is headlining Sunday’s acoustic shenanigans I play something by them. As The Damned were recently in Abbey Road recording a 3D (sic) version of “I Just Can’t Be Happy Today” I play the Radio Edit/Mix of the original 1979 single. Keeping with The Damned connection I play a track from Chris Constantinu, Paul Frazer & Judy Nylon aka The Mutants mini album “Time For A Drink” that features Rat Scabies on drums. The Misfits have a brand new ep out called “Friday 13^th”. I did hope the line-up that recorded it was going to be Jerry Only, Danzig and Wolfgang Von Frankenstein as they are reuniting for a couple of Riot Fest dates. It isn’t but the ep is still good, hence I play a track from it. Richie Ramone has a new album out in a couple of months called “Cellophane”, but to whet our appetite has just released a single of it which obviously I play. And that’s your lot for this week.