Love That Album Podcast Episode 156 - The Tom Robinson Band "Power In The Darkness"

 

In the past, Love That Album has avoided getting political. The albums being focused on for the most part didn't require the conversations to get embroiled in the very furnace that keeps people blathering on talk-back radio and social media – mostly in uncivilised fashion.

That all changes for this episode. If you don't like talk about what a pack of knobheads (I use less polite terminology on the show) fascists really are and the political masters who enable them....you might wanna skip this show.

Otherwise......welcome to episode 156 of Love That Album.

It seems like we're still in a dark era for humanity with wars and bigotry continuously being part of every day life across this broken planet. In England back in the 70s, the National Front were gaining supporters from both ends of the class system. There was a very real chance that their racist ideology was going to be allowed into mainstream government – not just staying in the fringes of society. The Rock Against Racism movement was born to fight this ideology – particularly after the likes of Eric Clapton and David Bowie started saying things in public that would have been frightening to immigrants and Holocaust survivors.

It was into this environment that songwriter and activist Tom Robinson brought his music into the public arena. He and his band (aptly named The Tom Robinson Band) brought a tough combination of pub and punk rock mixed with unambiguous lyrics explaining that if people didn't confront the fascists, then life as they knew it was over.

I am privileged to be joined by podcaster and punk historian Tom Austin-Morgan to discuss the debut album by the TRB, Power In The Darkness. The album is confronting lyrically, but Robinson is smart enough to know that if you back up your messages with catchy hooks and singalong choruses, you'll have a better chance of getting your message across. Tom and I discuss Tom's music in a broader sense, but the necessity is that we have to discuss the political environment of England in the 70s to give the album context. We really couldn't have done the album justice without providing the history.

I'm super grateful to Tom for providing his time and expertise. I highly recommend his excellent show “Banned Biographies”. The show focuses on the history of the original era of British punk – both by documentary style episodes and interviews with those who were there. Trust me – you need this show in your life. You can find it at all the usual places you get podcasts, or you can find it at https://www.bannedbiographies.com/ You can check the show's socials out at:

Twitter: @BannedBiogs

Facebook: @BannedBiographies

Instagram: @bannedbiographies

Download this episode of LTA from your podcast app of choice.The wider back catalogue of episodes can also be found at http://lovethatalbumpodcast.blogspot.com

Love That Album is proudly part of the Pantheon Podcast network. Go to http://pantheonpodcasts.com to check out all their great shows.

You can send me feedback at rrrkitchen@yahoo.com.au (written or mp3 voicemail) or join the Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/lovethatalbum

If you’d consider writing an iTunes review I’d be immensely grateful. However, it’d be even better if you told a friend about the podcast and Pantheon – at a barbecue, over coffee, on social media….whatever way you choose, consider me grateful.

Proudly Pantheon.

Download episode 156 from here.

Love That Album: The Compilation Edition Episode 52- Live Punk Best of Albums

When punk rock bands put out live albums, it can be a crap shoot. Are they trying to keep a buzz alive? Are they filling out a contract? Do they want to make a best of record but have albums and tracks across several labels some of which are no longer active?

On this episode of LTA: The Compilation Edition, Eric talks about two live albums that act as best of records for two of the most enduring of the 80s SoCal punk bands.

T.S.O.L. Live in '91 finds a band ... who didn't even use their band name.. reclaiming their music and starting to reclaim their legacy. 

Social Distortion Live at the Roxy is a victory lap of sorts, as the band celebrates it's rebirth and pays tribute to the trials of the past.

Eric also has important news. Tune in.

You can download the show from iTunes (search for “Love That Album podcast”) or from the website at http://lovethatalbum.blogspot.com

Send the show feedback at rrrkitchen@yahoo.com.au (written or mp3 voicemail) or join the Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/lovethatalbum.

If you’d consider writing an iTunes review or recommending the show to a friend, we’d be immensely grateful.

If you enjoy what you hear, please tell a friend or ten to tune in.

Right click to download bonus episode 52 here.

Love That Album: The Compilation Edition Episode 36 - The 1984 Front

Punk Rock, early 80s style. That's what Eric Reanimator is covering this time around with coverage of the Welcome to 1984 and Not So Quiet On The Western Front compilation albums. Both feature bands from the early 80s when punk had evolved from the revved up styles of the 70s and become the so called Hard Core era. The bands on these comps are raw, in your face and filled with energy and attitude. Maybe they’re albums for our times.

You can download the show by searching for Love That Album in the iTunes store or downloading streaming directly from http://lovethatalbum.blogspot.com

Send the show feedback at rrrkitchen@yahoo.com.au (written or mp3 voicemail) or join the Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/lovethatalbum

Right click to download and save bonus episode 36 here.

Love That Album: The Compilation Edition - Episode 31 - Grand Theft Audio

Welcome to episode 31 of Love That Album: The Compilation Edition.

Eric is talking about some punk rock reissues from the Grand Theft Audio label this time around. Grand Theft Audio specialized in reissues of punk music mainly over looked, forgotten and ignored bands from the golden era of the late 70s and early 80s. The reissues were oriented towards 'complete recording' from a time period. 

Starting off is Popular Easy Listening Music Ensemble (P.E.L.M.E.) and their album Relax With... from 1995. They were playing in a slightly different sandbox from the rest of the CDs Eric is going to talk about with their mix of hardcore, industrial, punk, noise, exploring experimental sounds. This isn't music for the casual listener or for the back ground, but for those who like chaotic noise and speakers set on KILL!

Getting back to a something a little more common is Long Beach CA, early 80s Hardcore Punk band, Funeral and the release Have You Seen My Leather Jacket? Funeral was notable for including later Tex and the Horseheads member, Mike Martt. In their recordings you can start to hear the expansion of the Hardcore sounds towards a sleazy blues rock that would take over the LA scene in the mid to late 80s. Here that sound is only slightly in the mix and not as obnoxious as it would become as time and hair spray infiltrated the LA club scene.

Moving on we have Red Scare and the As Promised (1982-1988) release. It features the vocal talents of the late Bobbi Brat singing songs with a very psychotronic edge. The Shining and James Bond are both referenced, however it's their classic Street Life that's the stand out track. 

Finally you have the neighbours of the beast  Mourning Noise and the disc Death Trip Delivery - 1981-1985. These guys lived across the street from the Misfits and Steve Zing from Mourning Noise would go on to play in Samhain with Danzig. Few punk bands from the USA have had the underground impact that the Misfits did and it's a treat to hear one of the first of the bands they inspired. When Eric first played these tracks for my fanatic Misfits fan friends they at first thought he was playing them 'lost' Misfits demos.

You can download the show by searching for Love That Album in the iTunes store or downloading streaming directly from  http://lovethatalbum.blogspot.com

Send the show feedback at rrrkitchen@yahoo.com.au (written or mp3 voicemail) or join the Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/lovethatalbum

If you enjoy what you hear, please tell a friend or ten to tune in.

Right click to download bonus episode 31 from here

Love That Album: The Compilation Edition - Episode 25 - X-Ray Zillos

Eric has reached the nice milestone of 25 episodes - a quarter of a hundred, I tell ya - with the LTA: The Compilation Edition episodes.

This time around, Eric delves into discussion of compilations from Polly Styrene and X-Ray Spex, The Revillos, and their reincarnation as The Rezillos. More pop punky goodness for your earholes.

DIG IT!!!!!

You can download the show from iTunes (search for “Love That Album podcast”) or from the website at http://lovethatalbum.blogspot.com

Send the show feedback at rrrkitchen@yahoo.com.au (written or mp3 voicemail) or join the Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/lovethatalbum.

If you’d consider writing an iTunes review or recommending the show to a friend, I’d be immensely grateful.

If you enjoy what you hear, please tell a friend or ten to tune in.

Right click to download bonus episode 25 here

Love That Album Episode 74 - X - Under The Big Black Sun and At Home With You

It’s time for a packed episode 74 of Love That Album podcast.

I am joined by Eric Reanimator (who normally hosts the LTA - Compilation Series episodes as well as the regular show’s Album I Love segment) to discuss two bands called X: one from Los Angeles and one from Sydney.

Firstly, we discuss Los Angeles X’s “Under The Big Black Sun” from 1982. It’s a vibrant album – with some tragic lyrical themes - that combines their punk roots with their love of country, rockabilly and poetry. Then we discuss Sydney X’s “At Home With You” from 1985. Produced by the great Lobby Loyde (of Rose Tattoo and Coloured Balls), and featuring ex- Rose Tattoo member Ian Rilen on bass, this is a tough sounding album, that along with many other alternative Australian bands of the day, probably had a lot of influence on bands to make their presence felt in the nineties.

In relation to this show, I must give thanks to my friend and all-round gent, Pat Monaghan

We have a special guest Album I Love segment presenter. John Ross of Feed My ears fame generously presents for the show a brief discussion on the band The Sneaker Pimps and their album, “Becoming X” (thus keeping in with the theme of the show, you see). John brings back his love of trip-hop to the show, and I thank him for it.

We also present a tune by LTA Facebook member  Jason MacIsaac and his band The Heavy Blinkers. It’s from their wonderful album of 2013 “Health”. If you love beautiful arrangements mixed with tasteful orchestration and dig The Beach Boys “Smile”, you will love The Heavy Blinkers. I certainly do. Listen to the song….go buy the album. You’re welcome.

There’s a new intro format to the show (I acknowledge I’ve stolen the idea) I’d like to give my gratitude to my wonderful wife Joanne for her assistance with the new intro segment.  Hope you dig it.

You can download the show by searching for Love That Album in the iTunes store or downloading streaming directly from http://lovethatalbum.blogspot.com.au

Send the show feedback at rrrkitchen@yahoo.com.au (written or mp3 voicemail) or join the Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/lovethatalbum.

If you’d consider writing an iTunes review or recommending the show to a friend, I’d be immensely grateful.

You can join the Feed My Ears Facebook page athttp://facebook.com/groups/feedmyears.

If you want to purchase a copy of “Health” then head on out tohttp://theheavyblinkers.com/

Right click to download and save Episode 74 here

Love That Album: The Compilation Seies - Episode 6 - Top 25 Punk Albums

Welcome back to Love That Album: The Compilation Series hosted by Eric Peterson (aka Reanimator).

In episode 6, rather than discuss a specific compilation album, Eric takes some time to talk about a list of the top 25 punk albums of all time as compiled by rock critic and musician, Jeff Bale. He edited a zine called Hitlist. Eric goes through the list, and there are some expected iconic titles that any fan with even the slightest knowledge of punk (like me) will be familiar with. There are also some titles that even Eric had not heard. He doesn’t claim to like everything here, but it’s a good base for a discussion of a genre Eric is obviously passionate about. If you like to discuss all time favourite lists (and if you’re a music fan, of course you do), then check this episode out.

You can download the podcast at iTunes by searching for “love that album”. You can also stream or download it at “http://lovethatalbum.blogspot.com”.

 Send me any feedback at rrrkitchen@yahoo.com.au (written or mp3 voicemail) or join the Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/lovethatalbum

Right click to download and save Bonus Episode 6 here

Love That Album podcast Episode 62 - The Dead Boys "Young, Loud and Snotty" and Killing Joke's "Killing Joke"

 

Welcome to episode 62 of Love That Album podcast.

For the second time in the show’s life, I have abdicated complete control of the show to the men who know how to hold court. My fellow See Hear Podcast presenter Tim Merrill and long-time contributor to LTA Eric Reanimator Peterson once again devote a whole show to the subject of punk. This time around they discuss The Dead Boys’ “Young, Loud and Snotty” from 1977. They follow that up with a chat about Killing Joke’s eponymous album from 1980

I may not be an expert on the subject of punk music, but as per usual, when these gents have a discussion on the subject (any subject, really), I am fascinated. They not only discuss the albums, but the environment they were born into. Nothing exists in a vacuum, and it is truly great to have a historical context for this music. Tune in, enjoy some great music, and get educated all at once.

My thanks to Tim and Eric for contributing this great episode. Give them some love.

You can download the podcast at iTunes by searching for “love that album”. You can also stream or download it at “http://lovethatalbum.blogspot.com”.

 Send me any feedback at rrrkitchen@yahoo.com.au (written or mp3 voicemail) or join the Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/lovethatalbum.

Right click to download and save Bonus Episode 62 here

Love That Album Episode 45 - The Gentlemen's Guide to Midnight Punk

A real treat for you on episode 45 of Love That Album podcast – I’m not on it!!!

I’ve enlisted the services of show regulars Eric Peterson and Tim Merrill to talk about all things punk. They discuss their favourite bands, obviously, but there’s so much more going on here. They raise questions valid for fans of any music genre. Do punk/music icons belong in a museum? Is art maintained by the idea that generated it or by the fans who appreciated it? What do Little River Band and Black Flag have in common? Is new punk too streamlined when compared to the diversity of old punk? Should Gwyneth Paltrow be punk’s poster girl? Tim and Eric have a great time discussing all this and more, and I can tell you, it’s a fascinating and educational show. I urge you to listen and give them your support.

There’s plenty of music to accompany their discussion (it even comes in at the relevant parts of the discussion). They also find some time to discuss about what they’ve been listening to lately outside of punk.

You can download the podcast at iTunes by searching for “love that album”. You can stream or download it at http://lovethatalbum.blogspot.com

The podcast can also be listened to via Stitcher Radio. Download the app from stitcher.com, and listen to any episode streaming over your Android or Apple device after searching for “love that album”.

Send me any feedback at rrrkitchen@yahoo.com.au (written or mp3 voicemail) or join the Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/lovethatalbum and tell us about your favourite punk albums.

Eric’s excellent blog can be followed at: http://restlesskind.blogspot.com/

 My thanks to Sammy and Will at the GGTMC for the name appropriation.

Right click to download and save Episode 45 here