The Paranoid Squirrel

The Paranoid Squirrel ep 420

On The Paranoid Squirrel Rock Show; The Worlds Longest running weekly podcast (Allegedly, but prove me wrong) this week the very first single by AC/DC, with only Angus and Malcolm from any AC/DC I know playing on it, is aired. Then Chris Spedding he of “Motorbikin’” and Womble fame has a track from his very excellent “Joyland” played. I almost play a track by The Korgis but don’t instead I fresbie the CD over the houses opposite into the grounds of the the Psychiatric Hospital and play a Reeves Gabrels and his Imaginary Friends track instead. I made the correct choice! The International Swingers soon to be released single originally recorded by The Move gets played in an attempt to get their pledge passed 100%. Finland’s Waltari have a new album out at the end of the month so naturally I play something from it. New to the show are Barnsley Dark Punkers System Of Hate with a track from their very excellent “Insanity” EP. To celebrate The Damned’s “Don’t You Wish We Were Dead” Documentary being screened at next months SXSW festival I play a track from my favourite live Damned album. The UK Subs have a brand new album out called “Yellow Leader” it goes without saying that I play something from it. Then I take you over to Boston for Watts who have been described as “They play in a band built on a bedrock of riff-powered songs that have as much to do with swagger as they do melody. Watts also stoke the twin-engine guitar charge of Keith Richards and Ron Wood, although gruff-voiced singer-guitarist Dan Kopko sings better than both, and lead axe John Blout’s tough, blistering solos are closer in spirit to the knotty workouts of AC/DC’s Angus Young”  Well that was me sold. Chips Enuff bassist with Enuff Z’Nuff has just released a solo album with contributions from Steven Adler, Slash, Robin Zander with co writing credits from Trent Reznor and Paul McCartney. The Hip Priests cover Zodiac Mindwarp before I moan about the Jettblack listening party clashing with Starz at The Underworld. With the whole show finishing up with “Songs That Don’t Rock But Actually Do”.

The Paranoid Squirrel ep 419

This week we return to the studio with some pre fame Motӧrhead who are swiftly followed by The Ramones who are in turn just before that “other” great New York band The New York Dolls. Which leads us nicely into a track by Dolls and Heartbreakers drummer Jerry Nolan in the form of Jerry Nolan and the Profilers. Bay City Rollers?! Why not, come on Dee Dee was into them and wasn’t Rat Scabies once Mouse Modem in the Tartan Hordes? On the new music front David Ryder Prangley of Rachel Stamp fame treats us to a present to mark his Birthday in the form of the blink and you missed it “Birthday Suite”. The Prima Donnas third album “Nine Lives and Forty Fives” is out on the 10^th, so to get you in the mood I obviously play a track off it. The Godfathers of Trash Venom (no Venom no Slayer) have just released a brand new album called “From The Very Depths” and prove that they still have plenty to offer, as you will hear. A band with a lot to prove are Jettblack, third full length album “Disguises” due for a Spring release, tour in February, listening party in March. Lead single “Explode” does just that. Expect the unexpected. The Hip Priests have just released their debut live DVD along with a brand spanking new 7”. Naturally the 7” gets a spin. At this point I talk about clashing gigs, which I avert whilst my daughter shoves a note under the studio door, putting me straight on two things, one of which involves Olly Murs and Social Distortion. Both the Von Hertzen Brothers and VLY, who sport Tormé and former Shark Island bassist Chris Heilmann have new albums out in the coming months. I guess it goes without saying that a track from each is aired. 

The Paranoid Squirrel ep 417

Well it only took a few weeks before the first all live Paranoid Squirrel Rock Show presented itself and what three great bands I have in store for you. First up its Cretin 77 who hail from Corby, Northamptonshire. The band formed in the middle of 2011 and have so far only have one album under their belt in the form of “Cretin City Terminal”. Imagine GBH fronted by Jello Biafra. Second on the bill were, all the way from Welsh Wales, The Sick Livers, whose brand of Glunk Rock makes them one of my favourite bands to see live and I’ve only seen them twice. The Sick Livers really turned it on with vocalist Ginge either in the crowd or dragging various Turbojugends that were present on stage. Tidy. Headlining the whole shebang were Norwegian Punksters Honningbarna. I knew less than nothing about this band as their Facebook page is mostly in Norwegian, well it would be and I didn’t understand how to work out the game that let you into their official web-site. All I knew was that a cello was involved…….

The Paranoid Squirrel ep 416

The Who get things going this week then it’s The Claytown Troupe before we get into new music courtesy of Captain Powers and Mourning Birds. I also talk about finally getting my iTunes and iPod to work together before a pledge only track from The International Swingers, that’ll be Glem Burke, Glen Matlock, James Stevenson and Gary Twinn is aired. As I’ve also pledged on Marky Ramones autobiography I play a Motӧrhead cover from The Chuck Norris Experiment. More new music from one time David Bowie and John Lennon guitarist Earl Slick before I regale the story of locking out friend of the show and Squirrel Associate Arkwight at ten to one in the morning as he returned from seeing Paul Raymond at The Borderline. Naturally I play some UFO. A new segment this week is “Songs That Rock, That Shouldn’t” featuring Ella Henderson. With the show rounded off by some 30% slower Slayer!

The Paranoid Squirrel ep 415

Welcome to the first show of 2015. Union Carbide Productions get the ball rolling after which I moan about iTunes 12 seemingly refusing to sync new albums on my iPod. Steve Conte cheers things up with a track from his critically acclaimed “NYC” album. Whilst in between the aforementioned Steve Conte and D-A-D I tell a hypothetical (sic) story about the perils of not owning an Oyster Card. The Whocares have a track off their overlooked, by me, album “Now In Full Stereo” aired before the first “Compare & Contrast” of 2015 comes into court. Prosecuting are the Lightning Seeds whilst the defendants are The Damned. The title track of Calabrese soon to be released 6^th album “Lust For Sacrilege” gets The Rock Show treatment before I tell you of the fantasy festival that was to be held in Stockholm on three impossible days at the end of next month. Underpinned by The last ever Gluecifer studio track. I moan about the TV being so dire over the Festive Period, the only high points being the non-Christmas films that are shown. Not forgetting the Clash Documentary that was shown on New Year’s Day on BBC Four. Obviously I play a song by them, which is swiftly followed by The Hellacopters. As we reach the home straight Thee Imperial Royales, with their second album of Surf, Goth ‘n’ Roll in 10 years are played and then it’s the turn of The Dime Store Haloes, oh the interconnectiveness. Rounding the show off are; The Drej, who have decided to call it a day and Motӧrhead who remind us of their roots.

The Paranoid Squirrel ep 414

So that’s Christmas done and dusted and on the last show of 2014 Metallica get things underway. Don’t forget kids you only need to own the first three Metallica albums. Hot from last week’s show are the returning Flame Pilots with another track from their latest offering. The Disconnects whose album “Wake Up Dead” is just about to be released have a track aired for your consideration. As do The Keefs whose debut album “Better Late Than Never” was released to coincide with them splitting up. Shame! TV Smith has just released his latest album called “I Delete” and it is a corker, as you’ll hear. For the last time this year, thanks to Andy P of Fear and Loathing Fanzine, “Compare and Contrast” rears its litigating head with Devo up against Led Zeppelin. To celebrate Ginger Wildheart’s “Songs and Words” pledge (Coffee Table Book and DVD, drool, drool) I play Bi-Polar Baby ft Yolanda Quartey. The show is rounded off by Devil City Angels who sport Tracii Guns, Rikki Rockett and Brandon Gibbs. See you next year!

The Paranoid Squirrel ep 413

As it’s coming up to Christmas I kick this week’s show off with Flame Pilots “St Nick’s Lament” and if that doesn’t have you reaching for a bottle of something strong I don’t know what will. The Sonic’s Rendezvous Band come crashing in next with a choice cover before I start to tell you why this week’s show is about 4 hours late in being uploaded (now six thanks to podbean). New music comes courtesy Low Impact Records and Bo-Dogs who sport Chips and Kent from Sator and The Maharajas. Prior to Glunk Record recording artists Crazy & The Brains, (this band have a lead Glockenspiel) and The Sick Livers I share my daughter’s X Factor story combined with a new trip to the Dentist. Up next, thanks to Dom Daley, it’s from LA the Ex-Gentlemen and from Seattle The Cheap Cassettes. I was hoping that Sparks were going to make a guest appearance at Ginger Wildheart’s 50^th Birthday Bash, they didn’t which was shame. Once again though it seems hard to imagine how Ginger will be able top this year’s. However I still play a Sparks tune as a “What if…?” moment. As we speed towards the end of this week’s show I play a track from Motorpsycho’s  “Motorpnakotic Fragments” double 7” package. The last song goes to Sin City Sinners and I mistaking think that there won’t be another show until next year completely forgetting that Episode 414 is actually the last show of 2014.

The Paranoid Squirrel ep 412

This week on the Paranoid Squirrel Rock Show I start things off by regaling my woes at the beginning of the week. Fortunately the second half was top draw stuff with gigs from Reckless Love and the subject of this week’s show; Richie Ramone at The Boiler Room in Guildford. Richie is over here to promote his debut CD “Entitled” with his band comprising of friends of the show Alex Kane and Clare Misstake both, as you should know, from the currently on hiatus AntiProduct and…..once upon a time the other surviving drumming Ramone’s ‘Blitzkrieg Band’. During the course of the band’s set Richie flits from drum kit to mic with rhythm guitarist Ben Reagan picking up the sticks when necessary. Obviously choice cuts from “Entitled” are played along with tracks from the three Ramones albums that Richie drummed on. However Richie doesn’t overlook the early classic Ramones albums. Yes he didn’t appear on those studio albums, that would be Tommy and Marky, but he did play them live for over 500 shows over the course of five years. So he is, as his album says, “Entitled”. In past interviews Richie has voiced his concerns that he didn’t want to see his band viewed as a Ramones tribute. He hasn’t got anything to worry about; Alex, Clare and Ben aren’t all dressed up in jeans and leather jackets. Alex live still scares the shit out of me with his “I’m going to kill you” facial expressions, off stage he is one of the most genuine people you could meet. Sound wise? Probably the closest you’ll get to hearing The Ramones. Admittedly Richie doesn’t sound like Joey, but why would he, who does? The Ramones were a totally unique band as were all the individual ‘brothers’. Not a tribute just continuing the legacy. 

The Paranoid Squirrel ep 411

This week I start off by stressing about my teeth, or lack of, and ordering One Direction tickets potentially at the same time as I’m sitting in the Dentist’s chair. Musically Jake Starr and the Delicious Fullness get things going with another track from their “Tastes Good” album. Then I complain about Facebook’s “Real Name” Policy and to underline how stupid it is I play a duet by David Walls and Courtney Harrison. You know who I’m talking about. Swedish Street Punks Bombshell Rocks, who I thought had split up in 2001, have just released a brand new album called “Generation Tranquilized”. Naturally I play a track off it. Then as Radio Birdman have a fantastic, fan friendly six CD/1 DVD Boxset out I play something by them. Well you would, wouldn’t you? Staying Downunder; The Hard Ons treat us to something from “Peel Me Like An Egg” which I link to winning, but not winning a two foot tall R2D2 cake. The last Australian band I play this week came recommended from Bobby-Lou Hellacopter in the form of Uptown Ace and their free to download “1850” album. Top stuff. Just before I play some Hanoi Rocks I mention about being offered a weekly two hour DAB radio show and why I turned it down. No pun intended. The Prisoners Of Millbank are up next as their bassist told me to “Play my band.” The “Twisted Disco For Strange Men” quote on their Facebook page never seemed so apt. I finally got around to getting former Enuff Z’Nuff vocalist Donnie Vie’s new double White Album. Very good it is to, as you will hear. Mixing it up a bit I play an 1988 Demo of a Discharge tune by Broken Bones and then getting things right up to date I play a new track from their “Dead & Gone” ep. Gig wise this week saw me up at The Shacklewell Arms in East London to bear witness to the mega star, the legend that is Johnny Moped. I also after twenty odd years of being it’s Guardian delivered to Dave Berk the 2” Instrumental Master Tape of “Honey Bun”, “I Believed Her Lies” and “Hiawatha” featuring Dave, Slimey and the sadly deceased Fred. As a tribute to Fred I play the Radio 1 Session of “Darling Let’s Have Another Baby” by Kirsty MacColl and Billy Bragg. The show is rounded off by the B-52s and a song that should segue nicely, or strike the fear, into the show that follows this on The Wall Rock Radio……..

The Paranoid Squirrel ep 410

This week’s hour long studio effort turns out to be an hour and twenty minutes instead. I start things off with an apology to St Evel who I played on last week’s show but failed to mention in my show notes. I also said on last week’s show that this week it was going to be all live with Bend Sinister and Big Elf at the helm. It’s not and they aren’t. The Sex Pistols and The Damned kick the music this week off with a shared song titled before Hardcore Superstar get all sticky. Whilst taking my daughter to see Olly Murs at HMV in Oxford Street I consoled myself with iPod and Psychopunch’s back catalogue, one of which I share with you. I’ve just Pledged for the Eureka Machines forth album “Brain Waves” and as soon as you do an 80’s 4 track covers ep becomes yours. As one of those tracks is currently up on YouTube so I give it an airing. The “Demons” have announced that they are returning to business and to celebrate a track from the bands last CD “Scarcity Rocks” gets played. Donnie Vie, formally of Enuff Z’Nuff, is releasing a brand new solo album called “The White Album” on Cargo Records. I play a demo track that didn’t make it onto the album due to a Hard Drive failure. A band that are brand new to me are Bitch Queens from Switzerland who have been at it since 2008. They sound like The Stooges and the Backyard Babies, whilst next door the Dead Boys are drinking beer with Turbonegro. Can’t wait to see them supporting The Hip Priests in February. Consequently the next three songs come from the Bitch Queens, The Hip Priests and Turbonegro. Up next it’s The Lovesores with the title track of their just released ep on HoundDawg Records. Hastings based band and Squirrel favourites Hornet are up next with the first fruits from their recent trip to the studio. AC/DC and then Status Quo’s latest offerings are played with Spike and a track from his “100% Pure Frankie Miller” finishing the hour at which point Wall Rock Radio listeners leave us but not before I thank everyone for my Birthday wishes and regale the beer spilling Boiler breaking incident. The last twenty minutes is taken up with The Vibrators, Vive Finto, who only ever officially released one track on a compilation CD. Fortunately I have the unreleased album and delve into it for your pleasure. The last two tracks come courtesy of Swedish NWoBM worshipping rockers Hypnos and Susan Boyle. Yes that Susan Boyle. Come on admit it, no other Radio Station would play Turbonegro and a Britain’s Got Talent contestant. And I wonder why I still have a day job….