The Paranoid Squirrel

The Paranoid Squirrel ep 444

As Slade finished things off last week I start this week’s show with them. Continuity at its finest. The Black Bullets from Basingstoke have a tune from their new EP “Bulletproof” aired. Think Zodiac Mindwarp and classic Anti-Nowhere League. Evo/Algy from Warfare and Tank respectively have got it together and released a six track EP of three originals and three covers. The covers being R.A.M.O.N.E.S.” by Motörhead, “Know Your Product” by Algy’s pre Damned band The Saints and Status Quo’s “Tune To The Music”. However it’s one of their originals that gets played. On the split 7” front Bloodlights and Dieter Jones go head to head as do The Hip Priests and Billy Hopeless. Hear what each has to offer. Queensryche’s second album to feature Todd LaTorre “Condition Human” is all set from release on the 2^nd October, as a prelude I play a track from it. On the Pledge front this week it’s the turn of my joint all-time favourite guitarist Bernie Tormé with “Blackheart” and if you’re quick you’ve got until Monday (27^th) to grab it before the pledge ends. Eight quid for a twelve track digital album and a bonus ep? It’s a no brainer, as you’ll hear. Off the back of last week’s mention of late 90’s Scandinavian Garage bands I play you The Peepshows, The Robots and The Royal Cream and with the added edition of Cosmo Jones Beat Machine from Finland. Finishing this week’s show off are Borracho and Geezer who are the subject of the first release in the “The Second Coming of Heavy - Chapter One” series on the Ripple Music Label.

The Paranoid Squirrel ep 443

This week I celebrate 8 years of The Paranoid Squirrel Rock Show. Joining in me the party are The Hydromatics, well they were the first band that I played on Episode 1. New music comes courtesy of Spam Javelin who hail from North Wales. Keeping with the innuendos, Pink Cigar’s new single also gets an airing. Next I take you back to the sixties with some Graham Bond Organisation as last week I watched the “Beware Mr. Baker” on the BBC iPlayer. On the live front I play a track from the new Boys live CD “Undercover” which was recorded in China with Sator’s Kent Norberg on bass duties. In sad related news Honest John Plain has been Hospitalised after a fall. I think you’ll be joining me in wishing him a speedy recovery. At this point I talk about what books I have lined up, one of which is “Love In Vain” the story of the Ruts and Ruts DC by Roland Link. As last week was the 35^th Anniversary of Malcolm Owen’s death I play something by them. Pledge time involves a track from The International Swingers self-titled studio album which took me a few listens to get into. The band features Glem Burke, Glen Matlock, James Stevenson and Gary Twinn. Thanks to Uber Rock reviewing The Last Throes album “Get Me Wrong” I rushed over to the band’s BandCamp site and parted with $10 (£6.60 in real money) so I could own a piece of the action. Well with a quote like “the Dead Boys with Bon Scott fronting them instead of Stiv” I’m going to. Obviously I play something from it. The Flaming Sideburns get all acoustic by covering The Who and then I hit you with a full on studio track by them. As Eddie Spaghetti’s post Cancer treatment has surpassed its $50,000 target by over five grand. I hit you with a Supersuckers song. There still are a couple of months left to run so if you’ve a few quid spare www.youcaring.com/eddie-spaghetti is the place to go. There is talk of a fundraiser over here and as soon as I have more details I will let you know. Ghost have just released another track from their forthcoming album “Meliora” album, out on the 21^st August, which you get to hear with the whole show rounded of by the band that got me into music; Slade.

The Paranoid Squirrel ep 442

The Damned get things moving this week with The MC5, or to be exact The MC2, live from Helsinki in 1972 following on after. Peter Mensch has been bemoaning about the lack of great new bands, I beg to differ and to underline it I play a brand spanking new track from the Sick Livers new album “Mid Liver Crisis” and a tune from the last Chuck Norris Experiment album. Both, coincidently, just so happened to play SlugFest 8 last weekend.  To reiterate my piece on last week’s show about iTunes and streaming I let you know what the Sick Livers have on offer in the way of formats concerning their new album. For no other reason than it seems like I should I play a track from the last Hip Priests album I do. Much merriment was also had this week as Imperial State Electric have been announced as Graveyards special guests in November. I’m I going? Give me a “Hell Yeah!” So to celebrate I play a new track and the first single from ISE’s “Honk Machine” album and something off the last Graveyard CD.  More new music and as Kerrang gave Eva Plays Dead 2/5 for their debut EP I knew it was going to be good and had to play a track. What do Kerrap know anyway? Steven Tyler croons his way onto the show with the lead track off his debut (sic) and Country album. Thanks to Camden Council and the closure of The Purple Turtle I am now able to go and to the album launch gig of The Role Models’ “The Go To Guy”. To whit I play a track from it that features Sami Yaffa on bass. Up next it’s Dee Snider with his first original material in over 20 years. Hard to believe I know. South London Rollin’ Punk Rock ‘n’ Blues Merchants The Kult 45s lead us into the home stretch with me talking about how I’ve double booked myself once again with One Direction. This time it’s The Wildhearts playing the P.H.U.Q. album in full at The Shepherds Bush Empire that I’ll be missing. Anybody what a Level 1 ticket? Last band this week is the “You kept that quiet from me Jake” Go Mod Go! That amongst its 12 members is former Adam West and current main name in The Delicious Fullness throaterlist Jake Starr. Modtastic.

The Paranoid Squirrel ep 441

Iggy & The Stooges get things going this week with The Hellacopters covering the MC5 hot on their heels. Royal Acid Orchestra have track from their third album “Kingdom of Nothing” aired. The band’s new album “Never Mind The Strawberry Fields” is out any day now and features former Hellacopter Robert “Strings” Dahlqvist. Up next The Trouser from Budapest have a track from their new album “Mother of Illusion” played, their last album featured Nicke Andersson. Spit Single time and Taken By Surprise recording artists and Paranoid Squirrel favourites Mother’s Children and the Mandates have got it together. Well they’re both Canadian, both have just toured mainland Europe together and both are purveyors of top quality Power Pop. The next split is the first on Catastrophe Records and features two tracks by The Lovesores and Born Loose. One original each and one cover each. I play, in a World exclusive, both originals. Be prepared to be blown away! Much rejoicing was had by me last week, yes I Graduated but that wasn’t it. What had me punching the air was the news that Steve Jones and Paul Cook’s post Sex Pistol band The Professionals were reforming. Steve, unfortunately, won’t be joining in the fun but his replacement Tom Spencer, yes the Tom Spencer from The Yo-Yo’s and The Loyalties hasn’t ruled out Jones future involvement. Get in. A third piece of fortuitous news this week was that The Backyard Babies are playing in London the day before my 50^th Birthday, I know I only look like I’m in my thirties......If Moose from TeamRock Radio is reading this please give me a presenting job as an early present......Tank, the non Algy Ward version, are all set to release a brand new album in September called “Valley Of Tears”. Very good it is as well, as you will hear irrespective of who is or isn’t in the band. Tank by name, Tank by nature.  I lend my thoughts to Lemmy and Motörhead’s appearance at this year’s Glastonbury festival. Obviously I play a Motörhead track. I also talk about the purchasing of music, mp3 versus vinyl versus CD. The show is wrapped up by Mustasch and a track from their up and coming “Testosterone” but then I realise that I have a few minutes to spare and actually it is Nancy Boy that end this week’s show off.

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One group of Australians that I was glad to see over in the UK last week were Radio Birdman, with their compilation 2CD of “Under The Ashes” taking on a whole new meaning…It’s been nearly ten years since the Birdmen last flew into London, admittedly they did try in 2008 (I think) only for UK Immigration at Calais to refuse vocalist Rob Younger into the Country and with that then drummer Russell Hopkinson picked up his sticks and flew back home leaving the Drum Roadie to fill in their Greek Festival appearance. This time around all systems were go with me even bumping into legendary, Guitarist, Doctor, Fighter Pilot Deniz Tek as I parked up outside The Dome in Tufnell Park the venue for their UK assault. It’s nigh on impossible for a band with such a rich back catalogue albeit only 3 album one to play a bad gig and Radio Birdman didn’t although I did feel they got off to a slow start, not song wise, see the beginning of this sentence, but it was like watching a kettle boil; pretty safe to start with but when it’s boiling, get to close and you’re going to get burnt. Incendiary! A couple of surprise, but welcome, covers were played in the form of The Beatles and Magazine. Even on a School night with the Tube Station over the road shut when the band over ran their 11’o clock curfew by 15 minutes the only movement wasn’t to the exit but was to continue rocking. Yeah! Hup!

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This week I bring you studio and live material for you to get your ears round. Topic of conversation that starts things going is the cancellation of the Foo Fighters remaining European dates after Dave Grohl broke his leg. I and Mrs A. had tickets for today and along with 160,000 other people who had them and for yesterday, that’ll be friend of the show and Squirrel Associate, we’ve had to find alternative entertainment. Ours is Alcohol and food. First up music wise are the Biters and a track from their soon to be released debut album “Electric Blood”. Then “Compare & Contrast” returns with the Damned being prosecuted by Family. More new music in the shape and form of former Runaways vocalist Cherie Currie who has just announced a UK tour in November with the Last Great Dreamers in support. Live action come courtesy of 5 Seconds of Summer and Hey Violet from last Sunday’s Wembley performance. I also pose the question why the General Rock Community has a downer on the aforementioned 5sos. I was impressed by Hey Violet so much so that I almost mugged off The Golden Gods Awards to see their headline Islington Academy 2 gig. Onto the just mentioned Golden Gods; I bring you Suicidal Tendencies, Baby Metal and Killing Joke. Sad news reached us at the end of last week that Eddie Spaghetti bassist, vocalist with the Supersuckers had been diagnosed with stage 3 oropharynx Cancer. Obviously being American there is no free NHS Healthcare so his wife has set up the “Fly the middle finger at Cancer and join The Eddie Spaghetti Fight Cancer Fund” which you can at http://www.youcaring.com/eddie-spaghetti-373610. The final live track this week comes from the last Supersuckers gig for a while. Where Eddie Vedder and Blind Marky Feltchtone join the band for a rousing rendition of The Ramones “I Believe In Miracles”, which we surely do. The final two bands this week are The Trousers from Hungary and Nuclear Assault from NYC.

The Paranoid Squirrel ep 438

Thunder, Lightning...Must be Downpour Weekend....I mean Castle Donington Monsters of Rock 2015. Fortunately I’m not in attendance, ’86 and ’87 was enough for me. So instead over the next hour I’m going to treat you to; The Ramones who are swiftly followed by The Backyard Babies covering The Ramones before I play their new single taken from the up and coming “Four By Four” album, Sator covering ABBA, I kid ye not, then I talk about The Treatment’s new vocalist and lack of invite to the World Première playback of Ghost’s new album “Meliora”. I still play something from it though. Hard Action, who are a Finnish Garage Rock Band that are certainly doing it for me, then it’s NME favourite US three piece Radkey, who I got to know about thanks to Vive Le Rock!, think The Bad Brains playing The Misfits. Up next it’s a quick return to Mary’s Kids and then those Smell City Five Super-Heroes Märvel present us with a track from their soon to be released long-player, as do Motochrist, who, for those of you who don’t know are the brainchild of lead guitarist Marc Diamond of the Dwarves and singer Danny Nordahl formerly of the Throbs. Into the home straight and France’s thought provoking Shock and Awe Band Undercover Slut make a much welcome return to the show. Former Plastic Tears guitarist, Stereo Junks vocalist and blink and you missed him front man for Smack, Anzi Destruction, or just plain Anzi, has, like the World and her husband, a new album, “Black Dog Bias” due for imminent release, a track of which I play. There is a live segmentation this week. Albeit a very brief one in the form of Pitbull’s live band from The Capital Radio Summertime Ball as they obviously have been listening to some serious Rock Music. Listen and you’ll find out. This week’s show is rounded off by my review of The Damned Documentary “Don’t You Wish That We Were Dead” with the show ending with some post Damned Brian James. Until I discover I’ve two minutes to fill so as I started with The Ramones I end with them. What’s not to enjoy?  

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“Camden Rocks, London Shakes!” This week sees The Paranoid Squirrel Rock Show Up Town Top Ranking for this year’s Camden Rocks Festival. 200 hundred bands spread over 20 venues. However paranoia, overzealous door staff and lack of amenable toilets kept me at The Proud forgoing bands I should’ve really seen.  So we have The Amorettes, Glen Matlock, Richie Ramone and Michael Monroe for your listening pleasure but no Pink Cigar, The Men That Will Be Blamed For Nothing, Brawlers, Role Models or The Dictators NYC.

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This week’s show, as hinted on the last, is an all live affair from two of Punks founding Fathers. Up first is Brian James who formed both the Damned and Lords of the New Church whilst also touring with Iggy Pop. Brian was up at The Barfly 22^nd May promoting his new and very excellent CD “The Guitar That Dripped Blood”. The record sounds like the third album The Damned would’ve made had Brian not disbanded them in 1977. Also joining Brian on vocals, for the last few numbers, was Dirty Strangers main man Alan Clayton. The day after I battled through London’s road closures and roadworks(an hour and a half to travel less than 10 miles!!) to see the UK Subs at The 100 Club. I was surprised to learn that I haven't seen the subs since they played The Garage in December 2012. So it was good to hear live tracks from their latest and 25^th album “Yellow Leader” played alongside fan and band favourites.

The Paranoid Squirrel ep 435

Back once again into the studio with the “Demons” kicking things off this week with a Damned cover. Who knew? With The Michael Monroe Band reminding us that there’s no right or wrong, let alone black or white. New music? Shed loads this week with, thanks to Ginge, with a World exclusive (Radio Wales on the 9^th May doesn’t count in this instance as Wales had been annexed from the aforementioned World) I air a track from the up and coming “Mid Liver Crisis” album from The Sick Livers. Not strictly new new but as MFC Chicken are in the studio with new bassist Zig who just so happens to be my 2^nd favourite bassist of all time, I play one of their recent singles. As we move towards the middle of the year I already have pencilled in a couple of albums that are going to be in my top releases of 2015. One of which is “Easy Piracy” from Dead Men Walking who are an amalgamation of The Stay Cats, The Living End, The Alarm, The Damned and some bloke wo used to play bass with Guns ‘n’ Roses. Obviously I play a track from it, well two as I couldn’t make up my mind which one should get an airing. Bob Wayne has just release an album of covers called “Hits The Hits” as the name implies, is an album of, well, hit songs. Some from world of Rock with the Stones, Guns ‘n’ Roses, The Offspring and Zeppelin getting Countrified, and to prove it doesn’t matter what the genre once you turn it into a Country song it becomes good he has tackled Skyfall, Rihanna’s Disturbia, even the dreadful “All About That Bass” is now passable. Just, only just. However the song that gets an outing is none of the above. Sticking with covers I play a track from the Sulo & Friends CD “Keep Yourself Alive” which was part of The Crunch’s PledgeMusic campaign for “Brand New Brand”. The CD features the likes of Wilko Johnson, Spike, Paul Carrack, Tom Robinson and Dave Higgs reprising songs that they are associated with along aided and abetted by Sulo. The individual members of what would become The Crunch also crop up. Sulo’s “other” band is The Diamond Dogs who have a new album out at the end of August called “Quitters & Complainers”. A song from which I sneakily play. Australian band The Casanovas have also just released their, until recently only available via PledgeMusic, album “Terra Casanova” to the general public. Less Thunders and more Stones this time around. Staying Down under to celebrate Muscle Car deservedly winning the Melbourne Mötley Crüe-Alice Cooper opening support slot I play the bands last 7”, well the A-Side. For the third time this year The Hip Priests have released a 7” single. This time around it’s a split with The Bitch Queens hogging the limelight on the b-sided, but for you listening pleasure I just give you The Hip Priest. “Arm giveth and Arm takes away”. That can’t be said for The Chuck Norris Experiment and Märvel split 7”, both have a track aired. Sticking with Vinyl; Mary’s Kids have just released the 10” variety with a CD version only available on their upcoming German (one Swedish) tour. It’s called “Death In Suburbia” that feature six tracks, one of which I naturally play. Up next courtesy, of Dom Daley he of Uber Rock and Glunk Records notoriety, are the Sticky Valentines with something from their second self-titled EP. At this point listeners on The Wall Rock Radio will hear the said Stick Valentines track fade out as Robbie John takes hold of the helm, but for the rest of you the Brawlers make their debut appearance with a track from their “Errors Of Our Youth” CD which came out on the Alcopop label last month. John Dissed returns with a remixed, especially, for radio of his cover of Bob Marley’s “Redemption Song” which is swiftly followed by Wonk Unit. We are almost at the end but before the final track “Compare & Contrast” comes along with a three way tag match between The Wildhearts, Green Day and Sam Cooke. It is, however, Girlschool, who are currently in the USA with Crucified Barbara, which closes this week’s show. ***Phew*** Now if only Team Rock Radio would give a job……