The Paranoid Squirrel

The Paranoid Squirrel ep 500

Blimey O’Riley! 500 Episodes! Well this show is no different from the other 499 as you’ll hear music from bands that you should hear on the Radio but don’t. Getting the celebrations underway are Rumney Rock City’s most wanted The Sick Livers who get a helping hand from Andy Cairns. Texas Terri Bombs in with song then it’s the turn of The Main Grains featuring Danny McCormack to up the ante. It’s then a quick trip over the pond to NYC for The Threads then we return home to Abandon Cause and a track from their debut ep. New singles from Turbonegro and Imperial State Electric unfortunately don’t live up to my expectations. I play them anyway to see if it’s just me. Radio Birdman, who are over here in Dear Olde Blighty next month, have their Record Store Day 7” aired. I recently read that great swaths of Phil “Philthy Animal” Taylor’s personal effects were being auctioned off in the States. Surely the estates of Lemmy, Phil and even Würzel could’ve got together for a Motörhead Museum? Obviously a Motörhead track is played which is swiftly followed by The Hydromatics with the very first track I played on Episode 1 of The Paranoid Squirrel Rock Show. As Hey! Hello! have announced Hollis replacement, I was surprised in a “I didn’t see that coming” kind of way, I play a track from “Hey! Hello! Too!” which will soon be re-worked, re-recorded with additional songs. The Ruts DC have a stonkingly good new single out which I play, with the last song this week coming from Andy Shernoff written about Joey Ramone who would’ve been 65 on the 19^th May.

The Paranoid Squirrel ep 499

To celebrate I’ve got a new portable music player that has my entire iTunes library on* I play some AntiProduct and Brides of Destruction. On the new musical front as The Chuck Norris Experiment, King Mastino, The Hip Priests and The Bitch Queens have a 4-way split 7” out at the moment I decide that you should hear it. Whilst checking out Strange Magic Records I stumbled across Swedish band CC Company who I’d not heard of before. A track of theirs is obviously played. Johnny Hayward of über Rock notoriety post a link on Facebook to The Lovesicks BandCamp site which I followed and thoroughly enjoyed what I heard. To whit I share a song with you. Making a rare appearance on the show are The Damned...who are swiftly followed by the Anti-Nowhere League and The Living End. As Cheetah Chrome has just announced some European dates with The Knobs as his backing band, who comprise of basically The Hydromatics (minus Nicke and Scott), I play a track from his “Alive In Detroit” CD. Keeping in the “Classic Punk Artist” vein, I play a track from The Last Ditches debut album “Spilt Milk”. The Last Ditches are; Walter Lure, Binky Philips, Randy Pratt and Bobby Rondinelli, a veritable pedigree of awesomeness. The Stonewall Orchestra impress me with a track off their soon to be released “The Machine The Devil & The Dope” album with this week’s show ending with a Hanoi Rocks track in tribute to Tarzan/OldFashionEd who sadly left us this week.  

*Not strictly true as you will hear

The Paranoid Squirrel ep 498

Another Saturday another Paranoid Squirrel Rock Show and, AND the Sun is shining, well it is at the time of writing.....The Damned get things going this week as I talk about Captain Sensible, Monty and Jordan all in attendance for Johnny Moped’s Brighton gig last Friday, which is more than I can say about me. Up next from North Lanarkshire are Reaction or if you wish to find them on the interwebs Re@ction. If you like The Damned and Johnny Thunders Reaction will tick all the right boxes. Talking of “Boxes”; Goo Goo Dolls have just released an album of that name, no pun intended, to me it sounds like Coldplay. I’m not going to knock Goo Goo Dolls for their musically direction as they’ve more than earned the right to play and record whatever they like. Unfortunately, as you know, they stopped doing it for me after “A Boy Named Goo”, to whit I play a track from that album. Los Pepes and Black Bombers both have new albums or in the case of Black Bombers debut album all set for release so to get you in the mood I play a track from each. Squirrel favourite guitarist Adam Bomb is having to hang up Pink Gibson and return to the States to become a full-time Father. Unfortunately all Adam’s gear is based in mainland Europe. To help with getting all his amps and cabs back home a crowd funding campaign has been set up. https://www.gofundme.com/adambomb $3,500 is needed with $2,900 already raised. It would be great if you could all spare a few quid for him. Top bloke, top guitarist. The Hellacopters have recorded a new 12”. That’s right a brand new record, well when I say new the tracks in question were written in 1996 but never given the studio treatment. Of course I play one of them! The Chuck Norris Experiment have just released a limited live CD that was recorded by yours truly. However I play a studio track by them that’s on the live album. Up next it’s The Black Halos who I think should release a live album, Rich’s Birthday gig anyone.....? Because I missed seeing The Admiral Sir Cloudesley Shovell supporting Guida at The Underworld last Wednesday (an allergic reaction to a Fir Tree, I kid you not) I play a track form their “Check em Before You Wreck em” album. Talking of gigs I play The Professionals as their Shepherds Bush Empire gig has been moved to the Islington Academy from the 19^th May to 23^rd June. Not that I’m going to go unless it’s on the guest list as the ticket price is rather on the steep side. IMHO. Finishing this week’s show off is AC/DC who have been in the spotlight regarding Axl Rose replacing Brian Johnson. I think it’s a brilliant move but seem to be in the minority....

The Paranoid Squirrel ep 497

Another Saturday and another Paranoid Squirrel Rock Show for you to ingest. Getting things moving this week are The Methadones with a track from their “21^st Century Power Pop Riot” covers LP then Gorilla and Grifter take over with a song each from their joint vs split record, Great 70s dirty(ish) Biker Rock. Talking of bikers; Johnny Moped rides in with a track from his latest album “It’s A Real Cool Baby”. Bernie Tormé and The Electric Gypsies are up next and I make a tendinous link between him and the next band who are The Main Grains. A track from their debut ep “Don’t Believe Everything You Think” is aired. The UK Subs have just released their 26^th and final album “Ziero” and what a great way to sign off making albums. Fret not the band will still be recording eps and singles. For the sole reason that I’ve been humming it over the course of the last few days I play an Iron Maiden track from their debut album. Then after I reveal how I avoided a Hospital Waiting Queue the new single from Beat The Drag is played. Dizzy Mizz Lizzy have just released a new album, to whit I play a “Live In The Studio” track from it. I then turn my attention to fellow Danes D-A-D who on Wednesday played in Islington under the “Riskin’ It All For The Pilgrims” banner. The Monkees are about to release their first new album since 1996 “Justus”. “Good Times!” features songs by XTC's Andy Partridge, as well as Noel Gallagher and Paul Weller. Obviously I play something from it with Discharge and a track from their new album “End Of Days” closing things off for this week. Where else are you going to hear a UK Hardcore band straight after the world’s first and best manufactured Boy Band?

 

The Paranoid Squirrel ep 496

Welcome to another hours’ worth of music that you should hear on the radio but don’t. A bit of an odd show this week, or it could just be me. Take that as you will. Up first is a John Lennon track that features Elton John in a context that won’t get me sued, with The Damned swiftly following on after. I then bang on about Record Store Day, breaking my Washing Machine and a Goth in a Laundrette before playing The Nasty Bits who were the “house” band from the just finished Vinyl TV series. D Generation that’ll be Jesse Malin, Danny Sage, Howie Pyro, Richard Bacchus and Michael Wildwood, are up next with their first collective single in 17 years. The 69 Eyes’ new album “Universal Monsters” was released yesterday so obviously another track from it is aired. Hawkwind also had a new album released yesterday based on EM Forester’s book “The Machine Stops”. The band actually played it in its entirety at the Islington Assembly Halls yesterday as well. Ace Frehley has just unleashed an album of songs that that got his creative juices going to whit I play something from it. The MC5 get my juices going with a live TV recording which is quickly followed by The Black Bullets. Closing this week’s show is three live tracks by The Black Halos recorded at Rich Jones Birthday gig at The Black Heart on the 18^th. 

The Paranoid Squirrel ep 495

“I Come Along On Saturday Morning Greeting Everybody With A Smile” Kicking things off this week I have two Helsinki bands; one old, one new. First up its Smack with a classic from their debut album “On You”. Secondly it’s 69 Eyes with a new track from their soon to be released “Universal Monsters” CD. A couple of shows ago I played some Pure Hell, well I play some more but this time it’s a track from their unreleased “Black Box” album that Lemmy helped produce and indeed added vocals to the song in question. Shooting back over to Scandinavia and new music I play you a track from“Seal The Deal & Let’s Boogie” LP byVolbeat. I only own the debut album by Flotsam and Jetsam subsequently I’ve forgotten what they sound like, having not played in in 25 plus years. However their new self-title album I’m really enjoying. I’m not sure if it’s just me but I’m hearing, apart from some great Thrash drumming, hints of Progness. More Queensrÿche than Dream Theater I think. Obviously I play a track for your consideration. Gustav Wremer guitarist with Grande Royale contacted me with a “Check out my band” e-mail, so I did and was mightily impressed, with NickeAndersson at the production helm of their soon to be recorded third album, but it’s a track from their second album that I air. Pledge Music time and Brijitte West &The Desperate Hopefuls have just ventured down this route for album number two. Brijitte kindly sent me a track from said album which I of course play. Joining the former NY Loose vocalist in the Desperate Hopefuls are Richie Hudson, Keef Gibbs and Robin Guy from the Fiascos, although Robin can normally be found sitting on Sham 69’s drum stool. Following straight on afterwards is the title track from The Breakdowns new single “Charity Case”. The WitchDoktors new album “Voodoo Eye” and first since 2008s “$3 Hooker” is all set for release with a gig to launch it at The Alley Cat in Denmark Street on June 2^nd and to whet your appetite I play a song from it. As promised on last week’s show I play a track from Desert Rockers the Mojave Lords album “Unfuckwithable”. Zen Motel make a much welcomed return to The Paranoid Squirrel with a track from their just released “Choking On The Chrome (Part 1) ep. Looking forward to part 2 if part 1 is anything to go by. A new, previously unheard live gig from Sonic’s Rendezvous Band recorded in April 1976 is just about to be officially released by Easy Action Records. Joining Fred “Sonic” Smith, Scott “Rock Action” Asheton and Scott Morgan on this recording is original bassist WR Cooke. Finishing things off this week its Vice Squad and a track from the Sophie Lancaster Foundation Charity CD which is due for release this Summer.  

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 493

Welcome to This week’s episode of The Paranoid Squirrel Rock Show. I start this show off with three tracks in that wonderful format of vinyl. The tracks in question are two by Johnny Thunders from the just released Remarquable Records “So Alone” double LP, with the third track a Damned 7” taken from “The Black Album” albeit in a slightly different mix. New music comes courtesy of the 69 Eyes and a track taken from their forthcoming album “Universal Monster” with Crow Dancers quickly following in their wake with their debut track. Punk stalwarts The Members and Johnny Moped have just had new albums released. “One Law” and “It’s A Real Cool Baby” respectively. Obviously a track from each is aired. Bernie Tormé is up next as his Horsham gig on the 23^rd clashes with Johnny Moped’s at The Lexington and as I can’t be in two places at once I try and make up for missing Bernie by playing a track form his very excellent “Blackheart” LP. At this point I time travel back to the mid 70’s and New York City to play some Pure Hell. Up until a few days ago the only Black pre-Bad Brains Punk Band that I knew about was Death. Well that’s all changed and I just can’t believe it’s taken me all this time to find out about Pure Hell. Sticking with NYC I play a track from the 40^th Anniversary version of The Dictators “Go Girl Crazy” and briefly revisit The Ramones Competition. New music once again in the form of Gorilla, who sound like classic era Motörhead but instead of just Fast Eddie, Brian James has been drafted in sharing guitar duties and handling lead vocals and new band to me from South West England Grifter, who have a split LP out on the 15^th via on Hevisike Records. Finishing things off this week are Belleville Compression from Sweden. Go forth and enjoy!  

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 491

On this week’s show we have; a track from The Generators new album “Earn Your Stripes” once again gets an airing as does Los Pepes with a song from their soon to be released “All Over Now” album and as not to feel left out so do Royal Republic with something from “Weekend Man”. We go back in time for some live DTK/MC5 whilst I talk about the AC/DC, Brian Johnson dilemma. Brand new music comes courtesy of The X-Ray Eyes who hail from Leeds with a track from their “See Though You” album. Up next roaring out of L.A. its Dr. Boogie a four piece powerhouse building on the foundation of seminal groups like the New York Dolls, Dead Boys, Flamin' Groovies, Rolling Stones and Chuck Berry while adding their own twist to song writing with instant classics like "Get Back To New York City" which you get to hear. Then we head over to Germany for The Mergers whose new album “With A Carrot And A Stick” is out now and then it’s Berlin based Dysnea Boys who sport a couple of Canadians. One of which used to be in The Loyalties. Talking of Canada; thanks to Austin Rockett of The Hip Priests I’m now a fan of Bum. Consequently I play something by them. Back into the realms of new music with Swedish Garage Band The Pollutions and their debut single “When The Fire Was Burning Brighter” and then Punk Rockers Milloncolin with a track from their “True Brew” CD. Then Richie Ramone offers us up a cover from his new solo album. Pledge time and the UK Subs whose final album “Ziero” is only a couple of weeks away from being released let us hear a second track from it which I play. Rounding off this week’s show is Hey! Hello! whose second album “Hey! Hello! Too!” was digitally released on the 11^th March only to be withdrawn four days later as vocalist Hollis suddenly left the band on the eve of a nationwide tour. A replacement is actively being sort to re-record the vocals. I think as Ginger once described the band as ABBA meets the Sex Pistols two female vocalist are needed. I raise my hand for Beki Bondage and Brijitte West.