The Paranoid Squirrel

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.      

 

The Paranoid Squirrel ep 488

Welcome to Episode 488 of The Paranoid Squirrel Rock Show. This was almost scuppered by my goodself contracting the Flu. It had already seen me miss The DeRellas and the Witchdoktors down in Brighton on Thursday, The Fiascos debut gig yesterday in Wallington and even worse CJ Wildheart tonight in Hoxton. However the show must go on, again. The Stooges are at the top of this week’s show and are swiftly followed by The Damned. Remarquable Records are all set to release their third Johnny Thunders 1978 set of vinyl recordings. This time around it’s a full on album. Obviously Mr. Genzale Jr is played, as is his old sparring partner Arthur Kane with a track from his band The Killer Kane Band, natch, only 7” “Mr Cool” that features a young Blackie Lawless. As I’ve been getting into the TV series “Vinyl” I play a track by Jack Ruby whose material is used by house band The Nasty Bits in the show. Mötley Crüe are up next even if I don’t play the intended track. I’m ill. Prophets of Addiction and The Cruel Intentions bring us up to date in the Glam/Sleaze/Hair department. In the super new release section The Yorkshire Rats are up first with a track from their “Trouble City” EP. Los Pepes are second airing a song from their forthcoming album “All Over Now” which is out on the Wanda label in May. Before I play a brand spanking new Black Halos track I announce the winner of the red Vinyl “The Violent Years” LP. I then run another competition to win the new Hard Action 7” “Hands Dripping Red” courtesy of Bootleg Booze Records. It’s Motorpsycho however that end this week’s show with a track from their new “Here Be Monsters” album. Stay well.      

The Paranoid Squirrel ep 486

Welcome to Episode 486 of The Paranoid Squirrel Rock Show. Blasting things off this week are The Outta Sites from Hollywood, California and a track taken from their newest recording "Outta Site, Outta Mind". Shame I missed their Numbucca gig on the 7^th January. Then at the behest and recommendation of Andy P. of The Fear & Loathing Fanzine I play a track from US Punk Stalwarts Poison Idea's "Confuse and Conquer" album. Then after talking about The Professionals and Rich Kids joint headlining gig at the Shepherds Bush Empire I play The Vicious White Kids who as the name implies features Sid Vicious, Rat Scabies and Glen Matlock and Steve New. Former Radio Birdman Chris “Klondike” Masuakalong with The Viveiro Wave are all set to release, thanks to Crowdfunding site pozible.com, the CD version of his soon to be released vinyl only album "Brujita". Obviously a track from it is aired. To celebrate The Black Halos recording again and playing in London for guitarist Rich Jones' birthday I run a competition to win a copy of "The Violent Years" numbered on Red vinyl album. As the Role Models are supporting The Black Halos and have just launched a Pledge Campaign for their second album "Forest Lawn" it seemed the right thing to do and play a track by them. So I do. The Michael Monroe Band have just landed Stateside for some touring and have just been added to the "Stone Free Festival" in June at the o2 Arena. The band have just released a new single "Going Down With The Ship" which I stupidly don't play. However I do still play something from "Blackout States. As you should know The Deathtime Assembly is taking place at the The Pipeline on the 19^th and 20^th two of the bands have got together to release a split 7" in time for the gig. Those bands being The Hip Priests and Bloodlights. Consequently I give you an audioable taster. As it was both Repo and Lloyd Stuart Casson from Smash Fashions birthday last week I thought I'd play "Long Blond Animal" which is the b-side of their current single “Junkie Luck”. Sticking with b-sides; Beat The Drag have the flip of their last single played as well. To celebrate 25 years from the release of "Where Have All The Good Girls Gone" core members of The Crybabys, that'll be Honest John Plain, from the Boys and Darrell Bath, who can currently be found in The Vibrators, have roped in Robbie Ruston and Lester Greenowski to record two new tracks for a split 7" called "The Italian Job". Lester Greenowski in solo mode is on the other side with two of his contributions. A track from each gets The Squirrel treatment. The Stranglers are up next with my own "Cut & Paste" version of "Bring On The Nubiles". Dai from The Sick Livers apparently needs a Nurse since being involved in a Car Accident, so I give him one......This week’s show is wounded up by The Rosehips whose vocalist Kevin Junior, who later formed The Chamber Strings, sadly passed away last month.

The Paranoid Squirrel ep 485

As it was 40 years last Thursday that The Ramones entered Plaza Sound to record one of the most landmark albums ever to appear on vinyl I start and finish this week’s show off with The Brothers and two tracks taken from those sessions. Deptford’s finest The Phobics are up next with a track taken from their last album “Deptford Calling”. New to The Paranoid Squirrel Rock Show are from Spain The Assclats and a track taken from their debut “Punk” ep. A musician who is certainly no stranger to this show is CJ Wildheart who has just released his second Pledge Music album “Robot”. Those who have pledged will already have heard it, for everybody else you’ll have to wait until the 12^th when it gets its official release. For those of you still hovering over the “Undecided Button” to help you click that mouse I play something from it. Sticking with the Wildhearts interconnectedness The Dowling Poole who just so happen to feature Random Jon Poole and Willy Dowling are gathering momentum for their Pledge album “One Hyde Park”. You might’ve seen the video to “Rebecca Receiving”. If you haven’t I give you the audible equivalent. Tigertailz had their sights set on Eurovision greatness but that was before Auntie Beep sent them a “Bugger off” generic e-mail consigning the UK to the bottom half of the Eurovision Song Contest table. Some people/Countries you just can’t help. Fortunately enough the band put it out anyway. Naturally I play it. We’ve had Deptford’s finest so now I turn my attention to Croydon’s finest and Courage Best Bitter Band of The Year 1978 Johnny Moped whose 3^rd album “It’s A Real Cool Baby” is all set for release on the 25^th March via Damaged Goods Records. A single from the album was released late last year with a brand new one “Real Cool Baby” hitting the real and virtual Record Shops on the 29^th of last month. The yellow vinyl version gets an airing. (It’s my favourite Colour) “What’s In Arm’s Attic” makes its long overdue return with me finding a box of Cassette Tapes one of which was a live recording by The Family Butcher from the Summer of 1990 down in Brighton. The Family Butcher were Captain Sensible, Paul Gray, Garrie Dreadful and Malcolm Dixon. Obviously I play a couple form it. In hindsight I should've run it though my AudioLab to beef up the sound as it does sound a bit weedy in places. Even so it's still great to hear. Sticking with live recordings The Nomads are up next with a track taken from their Ghost Highway Recordings album "El Sol - Live In Madrid". As we approach the final furlong Boston's The Black Cheer give us "Everything" from their "Sick Gun" album with The Claypool Lennon Delirium, who as the name implies features Les Claypool from Primus and Sean Lennon, almost take us over the finishing line with their first fruits recording together. However, as I've already mentioned it's The Ramones that closes off this week's show.

The Paranoid Squirrel ep 483

I make no apologies for opening this week's show off with some Peel Session Motörhead as I should've seen them last night at Hammersmith Odeon. Instead I caught up with Brian James at the Hope and Anchor who has a track from his "Guitar That Dripped Blood" aired afterwards. Staying with the Damned interconnectedness; The Mutants, who feature Rat Scabies on drums, are finishing up album number three "Desert Sessions" so I play a track from their second album "Tokyo Nights" which up until this week I didn't realise had been released. Digging deeper into the realms of collaboration, Iggy Pop and Josh Homme have teamed up for an album called "Post Pop Depression" and subsequent tour, the London date is the same day as The Treatments London date, 13th May. Hurrah! Not. Obviously I play the track by them that has already hit the interwebs, along with The Treatments first single from their new album "Generation Me". However sandwiched in-between them are Headline Manic who sport 3/5th of Eddie & The Hotrods and a track from their soon-to-be-released album "Rock 'n' Roll Thuggery", Beach Slang who I'm seeing tonight down in Brighton and a track from their "The Things We Do To Find People Who Feel Like Us” album with The DeRellas the last filling as sadly vocalist Robbie Tart has stepped down from the Band. The UK Subs final and 26th album "Ziezo" is in the final throws of being Subsified. A track from it has just been unleashed on a suspecting fan base. Of course I play it! Megadeth have a brand new album out called "Dystopia". As with Metallica, the first three Megadeth albums are, for me untouchable, when it comes to aggression and Punk attitude. The playing on "Dystopia" as you expect to top notch but the Piss and Vinegar has somewhat been placated. However it still hits home as you will hear. Those "Pure Rock Awards" nominees and Welsh support band for The Professionals, The Sick Livers have a track from when some band members still had Restraining Orders played. New to The Paranoid Squirrel Rock Show are German band The Gee Strings and a track from their Ghost Highways Recordings album "I'm So Gee". Black Sabbath close the door on not only on this week's episode but on their career with a 8 track tour ep. Four studio tracks that were recorded for the "13" album but didn't make the final track listing and four songs recorded live that did.

The Paranoid Squirrel ep 482

The Rollins Band who are swiftly followed by Iggy Pop start things going this week and as I recently saw Henry Rollins in is spoken word capacity I play a five minute segment of Mr Rollins pearls of wisdom. The Jack Tars, who up until last year were called Deadmen Walking, but still feature Captain Sensible, Slim Jim Phantom, Mike Peters and Chris Chaney, have a track off their recent tour CD aired. Going a bit mainstream I play some Metallica from “Master Of Puppets” as this year it’ll be 30 years old. Meaning it’s been nearly three decades since they released a decent album…… Jake Starr and The Delicious Fullness are live in session. Unfortunately not with me but WFMU, New Jersey. We then have a bit of a Norwegian Fest with firstly Razorbats who Dom Daley of Űber Rock turned me onto, with a track from their debut full length release “Camp Rock”. Talking of debuts; Märvel those three masked men from Smell City are playing their first English/Wales dates which are; The Pipeline, London on the 10^th March, Hairy Dog, Derby 11th and the 12^th sees them at Hard Rock Hell in North Wales. Obviously a track from their latest offering “The Hills Have Eyes” is played. Rounding up NorFest are Bloodlights with an exclusive track taken from their SkullCandy Headphone Promo CD which I picked up in 2008. For some reason, probably Blackmail, I have the urge to play some brand spanking new Hip Priests, so I do. (The cheque’s in the Post.) Into the home stretch its Little Richard morphing into Slade, with The Ruts actually closing proceedings.   

The Paranoid Squirrel ep 479

My battle with Man-flu is the underlining theme on today’s show. On the musical front though DENIMGOAT, who sport Danne McKenzie, Nicke Borg, Richie Puzz, Max Diesel and Ida Evileye in their ranks have just released a cover of Phil Lynott’s “Nineteen” which obviously I play. Can you believe it’s been 30 years since he died? Even more worrying is that later on this year it’ll be Cliff Burton’s. Hey! Hello! have a track aired from their second album, “Hey! Hello! Too!” which has me more than excited. As the latest Classic Rock Magazine reviews Dirtbag Republic’s debut album for the second time I feel the need to play something off it. Up next are the LLUNATIKS who hail from Villalonga, Spain and a track from their “Ultra Rock” album. Then as I’m seeing the UK Subs tonight at the 100 Club as part of the Resolution Festival I hold my own mini one by playing classic tracks from the Anti-Nowhere League, GBH, Discharge, Chelsea and the UK Subs. Missing from the Festival were the Damned and or associated former or current members, so I redress the situation by playing the last recording that Captain, Rat and Paul Gray did together. It’s a riot. There’s a clue for you. As the World and her husband are talking about Guns ‘n’ Roses I join in with my two pennies worth playing one of their tracks in the process. The Cruel Intensions, who feature former Vains of Jenna vocalist Lizzy DeVine, make their second appearance on The Paranoid Squirrel Rock Show with their new single. I finish this week’s show off with The Heavy Eyes who last fm describe as “psychedelic bluesy rock from the delta that sounds similar to a skeleton driving a speed boat on a flaming Mississippi River headed back to 1969.” Sold to the man with the snotty nose and cough!  

The Paranoid Squirrel ep 477

Welcome to Episode 477 of The Paranoid Squirrel Rock Show which is also the last of 2015. Kicking off this “Back To The Studio” affair is a seasonal Ulysses, who also crop up later in the hour in a non-seasonal way.  But before we get to that The Backyard Babies who are swiftly followed by early Johnny Thunders & The Heartbreakers really get things going. Then it’s a Radio 1 in session track from The Damned still featuring Algy Ward but showcasing a tune that will appear on their Paul Gray forth album. The first new song of this week’s show comes courtesy of The Class of 76 who feature Barrie Masters, Steve Nicol from Eddie & The Hot Rods, Members and Vibrators guitarist Nigel Bennett and bassist Russ Strutter formerly of Wilko Johnson. Helldivers from Sweden sent me an mp3 of their latest single which I obviously air as it’s rather good in a Detroit Garage kind of way, as is the King Mastino track, who hail from Italy, that follows it.  On episode 472, which was the CJ Ramone gig, I apologised for not recording the Yorkshire Rats who were on just after openers Los Pepes and just before Vice Squad, saying that I would be playing something off their “Sea Of Souls” CD to make amends. Well making good on my promise I do exactly that. Scott Sorry, he of The Wildhearts and Sorry and The Sinatras has just released his first solo album via Pledge Music called “When We Were Kings” and quite frankly it could be a contender for album of the year, if I was to do one, which I don’t, so it won’t. If I was it would’ve probably been The Sick Livers or Michael Monroe anyway. However that’s all immaterial so crack it up from Scott Sorry and a track from the aforementioned album.  Sticking with The Wildhearts interconnectedness; CJ Wildheart has just shared a second track from his forthcoming pledge album “Robot”. To coincide with the release of the album in February he is playing in London which unfortunately clashes with The Vibrators 40^th Anniversary gig at the Islington Academy. So I’m in a bit of a quandary which gig should I go to. Please e-mail me with your thoughts so I can then apportion blame elsewhere. “They made me do it!” To celebrate the release of the new Star Wars film I play The Dollyrots’ acoustic and electric versions “Be My Leia” at the same time because I stupidly thought that they would’ve used the same mastertape therefore they’d be the same length. Oh how I laughed. Plastic Tears get us back on an even keel with a cover taken from the Christmas edition of their “Rhythm Rider” ep and in six degrees of separation Smash Fashion have their brand new single played. As we hurtle towards the end of the show and year The Black Bullets help me pick up speed with a track from their new ep “Bombshell” but it’s The Hip Priests with a brand new track that takes us over the edge and out of 2015.

The Paranoid Squirrel ep 471

Turbonegro get things going this week with a Demolition 23 sounding Def Leppard following in their wake. Then my own mix of “AntiPope” by The Damned takes the world by storm. We then get back onto new music from Psychopunch, which almost didn’t happen, and The Carburetors, two bands that seem to be going hand in hand at the moment. A band that I had to miss off Episode 469 due to time constraints was The Dogbeats from Benidorm. Obviously they are included on this week’s show to make amends. More new music with the b-side to Hard Action’s “Hands Dripping Red” 7” which is due out on Bootleg Booze Records at the end of February. The Hip Priest/Billy Hopeless split 7” has finally landed on Doormats around the World but as I’ve already played both tracks in question I play The Hip Priests new track “For Life Till Deth” instead. In a Wildhearts Six Degrees of Separation I play new tracks from The Main Grains, that features Danny McCormack and The Drama Club Rejects that features Stidi. Both cracking songs! Scumbag Millionaire from Gothenburg are up next with some “Enraged and fast moving, cooking with gas and grooving Punk Rock” with the return of Royal Republic to The Paranoid Squirrel Rock Show following on. Sham 69 have just released a brand new album called “It’ll End In Tears”. This is the Ian Whitewood line up. Deadbeat London, who feature Rich Rags on guitar from The Role Models, debut single gets an airing. I love finding new bands and new music with The Whipshades from Fredrikstad, Norway, being the latest band to fall into that category. It goes without saying I play track by them which comes from their latest release “Fast, Loud and Primitive”. This week’s show is wrapped up with part of an interview with Richard Strange that I attended on the 27^th that was hosted by Peter Cook from The Academy of Rock. Richard “Kid” Strange was in The Doctors of Madness that for a few gigs in 1978 featured Dave Vanian from The Damned. You also get to hear the question I posed, with the one and only studio track that Dave Vanian recorded with The Doctors of Madness that was co-written by TV Smith from The Adverts closing proceedings.