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 418

Once again it’s an all live affair courtesy of former Girl, Tormé vocalist Phil Lewis. Obviously since 1988 Phil has been plying his trade in LA Guns and is just about to complete a short, low key solo UK tour. The show was recorded at the Camden Underworld during the midway point and covers most of his musical catalogue; plenty of LA Guns, naturally, some Girl, a couple of covers, London Cowboys and The Heavy Metal Kids. Sadly no Tormé even if Tormé bassist Chris Heilmann was in attendance. A great evening from a great singer.   

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 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 409

This week I’m still in the studio, even though my gig tally almost topped last weeks. Up first is some classic Suicidal Tendencies then we get into brand new music from: Mary’s Kids, Imperial State Electric, Lester Greenoski, The BrokenDolls, C.J. Ramone, Sonny Vincent, Faith No More, Johnny Thunders, Santa Cruz, Bend Sinister, Ming City Rockers, Zen Motel with The UK Subs bringing things to a close.

The Paranoid Squirrel ep 403

More Scandinavian live action courtesy of Crucified Barbara and Supercharger recorded at The Boston Music Room Tufnell Park. This was the first time I’ve seen Danish Rockers Supercharger who describe themselves as “a mix of rich guitars, piano, Hammond organ, harmonica and heavy drums, stirred up with rough whiskey vocals”. No argument from me on that score. It’s been six years since I last saw Crucified Barbara when they rolled into town with The Backyard Babies. This time around they’re on a full on European Headlining Tour in support of their fourth album “In The Red”.
On this week’s show I also talk about a solution to my iPod running out of space, getting out of a Parking Ticket but picking up a cracked windscreen and watching a former work colleague getting into it with Gordon Ramsay on T.V.

The Paranoid Squirrel ep 400

On this, the 400 Paranoid Squirrel Rock Show, I bring you a couple of live tracks by new band The Kult 45s and the whole of the Electric Boys gig at The Camden Underworld recorded on the 26^th September.

The Paranoid Squirrel ep 388

As Motörhead have just announced three Arena show for November with The Damned as special guests I play tracks from both with the addition of The Sensible Gray Cells (Captain, Paul Gray & Ant Thickett) as they are also playing a London date in November. Up next is another new track from The Mutants “Rhythm and Punk Review” album. For the next few tracks I seem to be in “Classic Rock” territory with The Dagger, Judas Priest, Uriah Heep and Bullet. The reformed Last Great Dreamers have the first single taken from their soon to be released “Crash Landing In Teenage Heaven” album aired. Gig of the Summer has to be The Drej, Top Buzzer, Cars Like Sharks and Flame Pilots at The Rhythm Factory on the 6^th August. All my favourite unsigned bands in one place all for free! So rounding this week’s show off is a track from each.

The Paranoid Squirrel ep 387

This week’s show starts of with a tribute to Tommy Ramone who sadly passed away on the 11^th July. Apart from the obvious Ramones tunes aired I also play a track from the Lords of Altamont cover album “Lords Take Altamont” followed by The Crazy Squeeze whilst discussing Downloads vs Real life Records. The best band name of the year so far goes to Spliff Witchard whose new album “Next Stop…Never” has a track aired. From now on in, or until the end of the show, I hit you with some of the finest Nordic Rock I have lying around in my hard-drive; Märvel, The Hellacopters, Bloodlights, Smoke Mohawk, Gluecifer, The Michael Monroe Band, The Flaming Sideburns, Waltari, The Nomads and Sator.