The Paranoid Squirrel

The Paranoid Squirrel ep 456

As a tribute to Bassist Bryn Merrick who passed away last Saturday The Damned open this week’s show. Keeping it in a “Punk” mood; Johnny Thunders & The Heartbreakers along with The Ramones, well it would’ve been Dee Dee’s Birthday yesterday, sweep us along into Type O Negative. This week’s clashing gig situation involves The Boys at The Pipeline in November. As Honest John Plain will be back playing guitar with his temporary stand in Chips Kiesbye from Sator also rumoured to be accompanying his fellow band mate Kent over for the gig this trumped any other gig that I was supposed to be going to. As a soundtrack to this news a track from The Boys last album “Punk Rock Menopause” along with a Sator 7”are played. New music comes from Devil City Angels self titled debut album. Who as you know, if you listened to the last mid-week special, features Tracii Guns and Rudy Sarzo. The Hollywood Vampires whose core members are Alice Cooper, Johnny Depp and Joe Perry have just released their first album with some help from Dennis Dunaway, Bob Ezrin, Perry Farrell, Dave Grohl, Brian Johnson, Charlie Judge, Robby Krieger, Abe Laboriel Jr., Paul McCartney, Orianthi, Slash, Neil Smith, Glen Sobel, Zak Starkey, Joe Walsh, Kip Winger, Bruce Witkin, Tommy Henriksen, Duff McKagan and Matt Sorum. The album consists of all but two covers, three if you included Sir Christopher Lee’s intro, and comes over as a cross between a classic Alice Cooper Band album and a musical, as you will hear. The Black Bullets have a new EP out later this year called “Bombshell” but to wet your musical palette I let you have a sneaky listen to one of the tracks. The Browns are a Canadian band who have been around since January 1998 but I only got to hear of them thanks to Muscle Car who championed their soon to be released new album “Return Of The Browns” on Facebook, a track of which I play. Looks like I’ll be playing “Catch Up” this weekend. The Bones new album “Flash The Leather” is now out in a standard and a limited Digi-Pack. Being the tight wad that I am I bought the standard release then discovered that the limited edition had two bonus tracks, one of which was the English version of “Die Wilden Jahre”, that I required so as I could play them back to back. Even after I bought the up-grade version I played something completely different, a cross between AC/DC and Hardcore Superstar......I then talk about two former Wildhearts members; Danny McCormack and Stidi’s new bands. That’ll be The Main Grains and Drama Club Rejects respectively. Bloodlights, who include former Gluecifer guitarist Captain Poon, new EP “Somebody Else’s Nightmare” is out on the 9^th October. So I play the title track. Also out on the 9^th is Gluecifer’s back catalogue on Vinyl. Get in! More talking from me but this time it’s important as the London date for Eddie Spaghetti’s “Give Cancer The Middle Finger” fundraiser is being finalised. As soon as I know and it’s all confirmed, I will let you know. Onto the two last songs this week which are both new. First up it’s The Cruel Intentions, who feature former Vains Of Jenna frontman Lizzy DeVine with their latest single who are swiftly followed by Reckless Love with theirs.

The Paranoid Squirrel ep 455

It’s Wednesday; the middle of the week and it’s a peak not a trough. To celebrate I bring you Gunzo recorded at the Underworld in Camden last Friday. “Who are Gunzo?” I hear you cry. As the name implies the band feature Tracii Guns and Rudy Sarzo, two real bone-a-fide heavyweight musicians whose collective CV reads like a fantasy; LA Guns, Dio, Whitesnake, Ozzy Osbourne, Guns ‘n’ Roses. Joining our two superheroes were Michael O’Mara on vocals and Shane Fitzgibbons on drums who more than meet the task in hand. So what did we get? More to the point what are you going to hear? Over an hour and a quarters worth of Rudy and Tracii’s back catalogue, with even some Montrose thrown in for good measure at the request of Michael O’Hara. I knew the evening was going to be good but I hadn’t banked on it being THIS good. It’s like the nineties never happened with me airguitaring, something I haven’t done since the days of the Saxon Tavern in Southend Lane in Catford. This was what Friday nights were made for and if you’re quick and in Northern Ireland the band are playing the Voodoo in Belfast tonight which just so happens to be the last gig of the tour.

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).  

The Paranoid Squirrel ep 452

For all the wrong reasons Motӧrhead are making the headlines at the moment, however I play what I think is a rather relevant track from the band’s new album “Bad Magic”. The Breakdowns, who were played live on last Saturday’s show, as promised have a track from their soon to be released Record on Ghost Highway played. Staying with Ghost Highway; the label in October will be putting out a live album by the Nomads a track of which I air as a teaser. The Dead Sea Skulls, who I wish I had recorded when they supported The Diamond Dogs a couple of week’s ago as they were that good have a track from their debut ep played so I can make amends. The Godfathers recently celebrated their 30^th Anniversary with a gig at The 100 Club and the release of a new 7”. This is the first I believe to feature the new line-up. Obviously I play something from the single. New to The Paranoid Squirrel are DVL, although main man James Thomas is no stranger having been in The Drej. Naturally I track from them/him gets an outing. More new music comes courtesy of those Smell City Five heroes Märvel, whose album “The Hills Have Eyes” is already for release on the 18^th. I got a message to check out Brighton based band Tusks new album “Embers” which I did and play my findings. Friday saw me up at Team Rock Radio Towers to sit in with Moose on the Breakfast Show. Hear what did and didn’t happen to the soundtrack of the new Michael Monroe single, The Role Models, The Sick Livers, Public Service Broadcasting and a new track from Slayer’s “Repentless” album.

The Paranoid Squirrel ep 450

Welcome to the Thursday Night Paranoid Squirrel Rock Show Special. On today’s show I talk about gigs that finish late without coming to a conclusion on why. Feel free to throw in your two pennies worth. Maybe I’m too old to “Rock ‘n’ Roll”? One thing I’m too old to do is untrained Roof repairs two stories up in the rain. The main, and much more interesting, part of today’s show comes courtesy of the Diamond Dogs live gig for the release of their umpteenth CD “Quitters & Complainers”. Steve Conte of The Michael Monroe Band, who featured live on Episode 448, joined the proceedings playing four numbers with the band. The Diamond Dogs for the uninitiated were founded in the early nineties by Sören “Sulo” Karlsson (who can also be found these days in The Crunch along with Dave Tregunna, Mick Geggus, Terry Chimes & Idde Schultz) and Anders “Boba” Lindström (who later joined The Hellacopters). The current line-up features Sulo, Lars Karlsson, The Duke of Honk, Martin Tronsson and Johannes Nordell. So without further ado here’s some great Rock in the manor of The Faces/Quireboys with the help of a former New York Doll.

The Paranoid Squirrel ep 449

It’s Tuesday, nowhere near the Weekend. So to cheer you up, as almost promised, here’s the Mid-Week Special, minus 1. Kicking things off are The Beatles with two tracks that you probably haven’t heard on the Radio; one old and one new. Iron Maiden have a new album out in the form of “The Book Of Souls”, naturally I air a track from said album. Imperial State Electric released their fourth album last Friday called “Honk Machine”. I’m not asking…..After careful consideration I select a choice cut for you to hear. ISE are over here in Blighty supporting Graveyard in November. Coincidently Graveyard will be releasing their new album “Innocence & Decadence” next month, so if your mind isn’t already made up about purchasing tickets to see ISE and Graveyard I play you a little taster from the band’s aforementioned new album to push you in the right direction. Black Trip are up next as Nicke Andersson was at the Production Helm for their third album “Shadowline”. In a quick “Heads Up” Ghost Highway Records will soon be putting out a new live vinyl Record from The Nomads, the label has also just released a 7” from The Dahlmanns the a-side of which I play. Another track from The Catastrophe RecordsBorn Loose/Lovesores split 7” gets played as the label has inked in a distribution deal with BootlegBooze.com and Undergroundmediciene.com. Even with Eddie Spaghetti sidelined at the moment due to his on-going Cancer TreatmentTheSupersuckers have still found time to record the new album “Holding The Bag”. Whilst listening to the title track go here and donate. The Bones have just recorded their first track in their native German language. Does it work? I play it for your own judgement. After a five year hiatus the Backyard Babies are back on Friday with “Four By Four”. Reviews are mixed. After its first play I originally thought that it would’ve made a great 4 track ep, even the name says so. However after having it on heavy rotation for the benefit of The Squirrel I found it to be a grower and I’m looking forward to hearing great swaths of it played live. In the meantime a track from said album is obviously played. Talking of The Squirrel; more out of the Country clashing gigs have befall her. Still involving Amorphis but now The Michael Monroe Bandhas gotten themselves mixed up in the proceedings. To underline The Squirrel’s dilemma I play a track from the new Amorphis album “Under The Red Cloud”. The Paranoid Squirrel resident Butterfly Keeper, yes we really do have one, gave us at The Role Models gig on the 21^st a list of bands that were most defiantly Squirrel pleasing. Unfortunately in the cold light of day I couldn’t read my own handwriting making out only two bands. The first legible band was The Prophets of Addiction. A quick Google Search had me reading that they were a) A Rock Band from Seattle and B) The press has likened them to; Guns n Roses, The Ramones, Mötley Crüe, Dead Boys, LA Guns, Hanoi Rocks and the Lords of the New Church. On that basis I purchased their second album “Reunite The Sinners” which features a guitar solo from CC DeVille however I play a track for you that doesn’t. The final song on this Tuesday Night Special comes courtesy of a solo track from former Space Age Playboy and current Tattooed Millionaire Johnny Jetson’s “The Father, The Son And The Ghost Of Rock And Roll” debut Album. See you Thursday.

The Paranoid Squirrel ep 448

Yesterday was the Glunk Records Release Party for the Role Models Album “The Go To Guy”. Which was held at The Black Heart in Camden with obviously the Role Models headlining. Joining Rich Rags and the rest of the Role Models was Michael Monroe guitarist and former New York Doll Steve Conte. A hot and sweaty night was had by all, but don’t take my word for it…….

The Paranoid Squirrel ep 447

Welcome to Episode 447 of The Paranoid Squirrel Rock Show and on this week’s show we have another new track from the Biters’ brand new album “Electric Blood” which seems to have been a permanent fixture in my stereo at the moment, although I have found time to listen to the new Ghost album “Meliora” and play you a track from it which unfortunately skips at the beginning (poxy CD). Continuing on from last week’s first World problem of clashing gigs a new one has been added that effects The Squirrel; Amorphis up at Wembley versus Sator playing Debaser to celebrate the Anniversary of “Headquake”. My money is on The Squirrel going to Stockholm. Consequently a track by Sator from “Headquake” is played. Up next is a track from The Straight To Video project which is the Brain Child of Rob Lane sometime bassist with The Teenage Casket Company, The Bullet Boys, Let Loose and Enuff Z’nuff’s Johnny Monaco’s solo band. Rob’s idea was to record classic 80’s 90’s pop songs that featured in classic 80’s 90’s films. On the second release cleverly called “Straight 2 Video” Robin Black, formerly of The Intergalactic Rock Stars, lends his vocals to Paul Westerberg’s “Dyslexic Heart”. As it was Robin’s Birthday last week Rob made it free to Download from the projects SoundCloud site which if you missed I play. Last week I played some Octopie who I said sounded like the Eureka Machines going prog. Well I played the album to The Squirrel who could see where I was coming from but thought it was more akin to The Scaramanga Six and I have to agree but to fair to me at one time both the Eureka Machines and The Scaramanga Six sported Chris Catalyst and Steven Morricone. To underline this I play some Scaramanga Six who coincidently released a new album at the beginning of June called “The Terrifying Dream”. Staying with last week I played the wrong version of Billy Hopeless’ “Gutterball” his contribution to the Billy Hopeless verses The Hip Priests split single out on a Little T&A Records. I’m not going to go into the whys and what for. (Yes I’m an idiot). To rectify my error I play the correct version. Whilst stalking, I mean surfing FaceBook, I found myself listening to the Barreracudas album “Can Do Easy”. I was quickly won over by their ‘70’s New York Glam, Punk, Trashy, Power Pop so purchased said album a track of which I obviously air to win you over also. Operation:Mindcrime the band that features the former vocalist of Queensryche Geoff Tate are all set to release their debut album “The Key” on 18^th September. As a teaser I play you the track “Re-Inventing The Future” from the aforementioned album. This week’s show is finished off by The Black Bullets recorded live at The Birds Nest in Deptford. More sing-a-long anthems than a “Best of Zodiac Mindwarp” album.   

The Paranoid Squirrel ep 446

The Last Great Dreamers are first up this week with a brand spanking new Motörhead track from “Bad Magic” swiftly following in their wake. The Biters have a track from their just released “Electric Blood” album aired with Thundermother **erm** Thundering in afterwards interspersed with Gigs I have already booked for next year and upcoming clashing gig stories featuring The Wildhearts, Danko Jones, Biters, One Direction, Megadeth, Kavadar and Bernie Tormé. I also mention about my trip next Friday up to Team Rock Radio’s Breakfast Show. More new music comes from The Role Models’ “The Go To Guy” album and then a classic track from The Sick Livers. After only having 16 seconds of Billy Hopeless’ song “Gutterball” that I played on Episode 444, Billy himself e-mailed me asking if I wanted the full song. Obviously the answer was a resounding “Yes” which you get to hear. (The song not me saying “Yes”) Courage Best Bitter Band of The Year 1978 – Johnny Moped have the A-Side of their first single in over 37 years played then I go all Prog with King Crimson who are followed by Octopie and a track from “The Adventure of Harry and Walrus Kane” which sounds like The Eureka Machines if they were to ever record a Progressive Rock Album. I kid you not. As we head towards the end of the show I play Grave Pleasures’, the artists formally known as Beastmilk, first fruits from the “Dreamcrash” album. The final band of this week’s show is The Heavy Metal Kids with a “Classic” live track taken from their Merton Manor Club gig last Wednesday prior to their Rebellion Festival Slot.