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  • The Ledge #560: Home Plays

    Posted on by theledge Comment

    This is another of those shows that really has no format. It’s pretty much a rundown of the music I’ve been listening to around the house the last couple of weeks. There’s some great reissued vinyl by Thee Headcoats, Beat Happening, Bottle Rockets, and others. There’s old faves pulled out of the stacks by the likes of Jason and the Scorchers, Hypstrz, Curtiss A, and (shockingly) The Replacements.

    But I also made room for some new tunes, highlighted by the return of Minneapolis faves High on Stress with their new single, “Over/Thru”. I have no word as of this point whether it’s a sneak preview of a new full-length album, but I’m obviously hoping that’s the case. Other new tracks include tunes by Huck 2, The Downhauls, Lone Wolf, and The Tearaways.

    As for the “52 Weeks of Teenage Kicks”series, I aired one of the more interesting remakes that I’ve found of this fabulous song. The story goes that at some point many years ago, former Young Ones star Adriam Edmondson “accidentally” bought a mandolin. After learning a few chords he began to play a few old punk rock faves. This led to him forming a Celtic-leaning band, The Bad Shepherds, whose albums primarily covered those same punk songs he had found himself learning on his new instrument. So in honor of St. Patrick’s Day, I felt it a perfect time to air The Bad Shepherds’ “Humours of Tullah/Teenage Kicks/Whiskey In the Jar/The Merry Blacksmith” medley.  

    Again, I’m putting out a request to all musicians and wannabe musicians to submit your own version of “Teenage Kicks”. If you have any questions, or have a version ready for me, contact me at paulisded@gmail.com

    For more info, including setlists, head to http://scotthudson.blogspot.com

     

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  • The Ledge #558: New Release (Pt. 1)

    Posted on by theledge Comment

    Once again, there is so much great new music coming out that this month’s new release show is forced to be split into two separate episodes. Tonight’s first part not only features the usual great tunes from labels such as Rum Bar Records and Big Stir Records, but is highlighted by an extended set from a record that will undoubtedly end up towards the top of my best records list at  the end of the year.

    That record is the latest by The Whiffs, Scrach ‘n’ Sniff. Simply put, this is everything that I love about power pop. The pop hooks are certainly there, but it’s the “power” portion of their sound that sets them apart from almost everyboyd else in that subgenre.  They aren’t just a power pop band. They’re a solid rock and roll band. I hope you love them as much as I do.

    I’m also pleased to have a set of local music this month. Yes, Sioux Falls, South Dakota does have a music scene, and tonight’s show features new music by Winter Hell, Thought Patrol, and Merry Martial. Please check out their bandcamp sites!

    And, of course, there’s also this week’s edition of “52 Weeks of Teenage Kicks”. I have a great new rendition by Iowa City’s Blast Choir, who just a few weeks ago sent me their killer “The B.C. EP“. Thank you, my friends, for your submission, and once again I’m pleading for anybody out there to send in their own versions. I want as many new covers as possible! Send them to paulisded@gmail.com. 

    For more information, including setlists, head to http://scotthudson.blogspot.com

     

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  • The Ledge #556: More Miscellany

    Posted on by theledge Comment

    This week’s show is once again a mix of old and new. There’s quite a few brand new releases highlighted, accompanied by quite a few records that I’ve found myself playing in my free time. 

    Which leads me to a question to my lovely listeners. For as long as I’ve done the show, the presence of “themes” has been a constant. Honestly, that’s how my brain works best for picking music. It gives me a reason to air a tune. Even the monthly new release episode is basically a theme that’s just like shows based on certain years or terms.

    Lately, I have sort of abandoned the theme and played these kinds of old/new mixes. Part of this is that due to the fact that I now report a top ten playlist every week to the Radio Indie Alliance. I know I can submit any ten tracks I play but I’ve been paying even more attention to new music than usual.

    So this is what I want to find out from you guys. Do you like these freeform type of broadcasts or should I revert back to having a weekly theme? The themes aren’t going away entirely, no matter what anybody says. But should they become a monthly occurrence just like the new release show? Let me know by commenting on this post, or contacting me on the various social media platforms. Oh, and I need ideas on what to title these shows!

    As for this week’s edition of the “52 Weeks of Teenage Kicks”, I’ve got a nice little surprise from Rum Bar Records artist Jenny Dee & The Deelinquents. Jenny’s version came out in 2013 as the b-side to her single, “Getaway”, and the 50s pop/rock feel is a refreshing take on the punk classic. Thank you Jenny Dee!!!

    For more info, including setlists, head to http://scotthudson.blogspot.com

     

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  • The Ledge #555: This And That

    Posted on by theledge Comment

    Once again we have a show devoted primarily to material I’ve been listening to around the house. Honestly, since it was announced that Television’s Tom Verlaine had passed away on January 28, 2023, I have wanted to do a little tribute to him on The Ledge. So tonight you can hear a handful of his classic Television and solo tunes. RIP.

    There’s also a wide variety of tunes that comprise almost 60 years of rock and roll. There’s a handful of garage rock classics from the acclaimed Pebbles series. There’s a track from one of Robert Gordon’s collaborations with guitarist Link Wray. There’s also a sort of tribute to Burt Bachrach in the form of a Stranglers cover that somehow caught my ear a day or so before the announcement of his death.

    And there’s also a couple of sets of new tunes, primarily songs that were cut from last week’s new release episode, along with more cuts from recent Rum Bar Records releases. I’ve also premiered the newly reissued single from Popsicko on Big Stir Records, which was officially released today. (Look for a full album later this spring).

    Don’t think that I’ve forgotten about my yearlong sub-theme, “52 Weeks of Teenage Kicks”. This week’s submission is from a great friend who has not only been a Ledge listener for over a decade but he’s a bigtime supporter of RealPunkRadio in general. Kingbubbatruck, aka Brent Dowell, sent the show a fabulous, slowed-down version that is perfection. Thank you, Brent.

    Speaking of the Teenage Kicks theme, I was given the opportunity to be a guest writer on S.W. Lauden’s Remember the Lightning substack. The piece was publsihed this past Thursday, so please go give it a read here! Thank you, sir, for the opportunity!

    For more information, including setlists, head to http://scotthudson.blogspot.com

     

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  • The Ledge #552: Covers

    Posted on by theledge Comment

    With my brain focused on “Teenage Kicks” covers these days, it seems natural for me to put together another show of nothing but covers of classics tunes from the past. And tonight’s show could not have been timed better, as today Kepi Ghoulie of the Groovie Ghoulies put our a fabulous covers record, Full Moon Forever. Plus I’ve uncovered a number of other great new remakes the last few days, including Juniper’s lofi redo of “James” by The Bangles, Devil Love’s lovely tribute to Big Star’s “Thirteen”, and a trip back to my childhood with Jenny Dee & The Deelingquent’s rousing “Fox On the Run”.

    But, of course, the main focus is on the “52 Weeks of Teenage Kicks” series, and tonight features the very first submission! It may be a bit fitting that said cover is by the one and only Malibu Lou at Rum Bar Records!!! Yes! He’s a huge fan, as you can tell by the accompanying email: “It’s one of my top 5 personal favorite songs ever. I covered it many years in many bands!! Here’s a demo version of Malibu Lou & The Attackers performing it circa 96 in NYC!!”

    I couldn’t be more thrilled, and I’m also so pleased to receive a couple other submissions that I’ll be airing during the next two shows. Please, please, please, if you love the song and have any sort of musical talent, or have some friends with a band that could do the song justice, record a cover and send it to paulisded@gmail.com!

    For more information, including setlists, head to http://scotthudson.blogspot.com

     

    Download MP3 here


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  • The Ledge #550: 1978

    Posted on by theledge Comment

    Over the last couple of weeks, I’ve been hinting that I’ll be starting 2023 with a big announcement. Well, tonight’s the night!In my eyes, “Teenage Kicks” is a perfect pop song; the greatest punk-inspired single of all time. Two minutes and 27 seconds of rock and roll at its finest. The sentiments are the same youthful expressions of the original rock and roll explosion of the 1950s. Instead of Little Richard or Jerry Lee Lewis boogie woogie piano, it’s buzzsaw guitars that accompany Undertones vocalist Fergal Sharkey’s desire for that “girl in the neighborhood” that he wishes “was mine she looks so good”. It’s the musical template later utilized by Husker Du, Pixies, Green Day, and hundreds of other pop-punkers for decades to come (for better or worse).Since I love the song so much, I have found myself collecting all kinds of versions over the years. In fact, a little glance at my master iTunes library a few months ago showed that I owned over 30 covers of this tune. Just two weeks ago, I discovered that a Minneapolis band I loved in the 90s had released a remake as a now rare b-side (more on that next week). With that in mind, I decided that The Ledge broadcasts of 2023 are going to include a sub-theme called “52 Weeks of Teenage Kicks”. Every show this year is going to kick off with a version of this wonderful tune, and I want to include my musical friends in this adventure. I’m sending out a plea to labels and bands to submit new versions that I will definitely fast track onto the playlist. Don’t worry about the musical style. Want to record a solo acoustic version? I’ll take it. Want to somehow transform it into a screeching death metal rattle? Go for it! Add some loops. I’ll even accept autotune!Tonight’s first episode of 2023 is going to begin at the source. The Undertones’ original classic kickstarts two hours of legendary tunes from one of my favorite years of rock and roll – 1978. It was the year I discovered Elvis Costello, Wreckless Eric, Boomtown Rats, Devo and so much more! The “normals” may have been somehow grooving to Kansas and Head East but I was jumping around in my bedroom to The Clash and The Jam!

    To submit a version of “Teenage Kicks”, please email it to paulisded@gmail.com

    For more information, including setlists, head to http://scotthudson.blogspot.com

     

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  • The Ledge #548: Annual Rock and Roll Christmas Party!

    Posted on by theledge Comment

    The annual Ledge holiday special is probably the easiest show of the year to put together…but not for the reasons you probably assume. Yes, it would be a breeze to just cull tracks from the same favorite Christmas albums year after year. Nobody would even notice if I ever repeated a song or two.

    But I’m thrilled that year after year there is a plethora of new holiday tunes to check out. More and more artists put out Christmas albums. More and more labels put out new compilations. And, most importantly, more and more artists are using their bandcamp pages to put out surprise individual tracks that are quite often free!

    So this year’s show is, with a handful of exceptions, brand new tunes! If you enjoy great punk, indie, Americana, and power pop there should be something here for you. There’s also no silly novelty songs (well, maybe one). There’s no maudlin weepers. Musically, each and every song would fit at home on a “normal” episode of The Ledge. So crank this at your family gathering!

    I would love it if every listener bought at least one record I played on either of these shows. These great artists deserve to be compensated for their hard work, and every purchase surely helps not only pay their bills but fund their next set of wonderful songs. And if you buy these records directly from the artist or label, please let them know you heard these tunes on The Ledge! Let them know who is giving them promotion! 

    For more info, including setlists head to http://scotthudson.blogspot.com

     

    Download MP3 here


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  • The Ledge #547: Best Albums of 2022

    Posted on by theledge Comment

    Once again, this obsessive mind spent weeks and weeks overthinking this year’s list. Notes were taken. Records were spread out all over the living room. iTunes searches revealed some forgotten gems. But I can once again say that this was a fabulous year for music, as evidenced by this countdown show. Veteran bands made comebacks. New bands made big splashes. Multiple genres revealed new life. It’s a great time for music geeks. So here is my list of the year’s 40 best records (although I only aired 30):

    Continue to http://scotthudson.blogspot.com to read the list.

     

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  • The Ledge #545: New Releases

    Posted on by theledge Comment

    I am proud to present to you the final new release episode of The Ledge of 2022. It’s been quite a year, full of fabulous new punk, power pop, garage, and indie rock. I’m now in the process of creating my “best of 2022” list that will be unveiled in two weeks.

    Tonight’s episode is truly a wordwide collection, as not only are there fabulous new tunes from the usual American and Canadian cities but there are trcks from Japan, Sweden, Italy, Spain, France, and the UK. There’s also a great set of 90’s shoegaze from Minneapolis that has just been compiled on a record called Southeast of Saturn, Vol. 2 on Third Man Records. As usual, there’s also a fun little set of new tunes from our friends at Rum Bar Records.  

    I would love it if every listener bought at least one record I played on either of these shows. These great artists deserve to be compensated for their hard work, and every purchase surely helps not only pay their bills but fund their next set of wonderful songs. And if you buy these records directly from the artist or label, please let them know you heard these tunes on The Ledge! Let them know who is giving them promotion!

    For more information, including setlists, head to http://scotthudson.blogspot.com

     

    Download MP3 here


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  • The Ledge #543: Power Pop, Pt. 1 (The Past)

    Posted on by theledge 3 Comments

    On a fairly regular basis I’m asked what type of music I most enjoy. It’s a pretty tough question to answer, to be honest. The standard answer I hear in return is “I love all kinds of music”, which to me is code for “I only like what’s popular”. Sorry, but having a playlist on Spotify that includes both Drake, Meghan Trainor, and Luke Bryan isn’t the proof of versatility most of these poeple believe it is.

    So what is the genre or sub-genre that is closest to my heart? “Punk” is a little too confining, and honestly there is a lot of shitty music under that moniker. “Alternative” doesn’t mean the same today as it did 30 years ago since maintstream rock radio has co-opted it. “Garage rock” is indeed getting closer but still doesn’t feel right.

    I think deep in my heart the term power pop, or at least my version of the term, best describes my music taste. I was, after all, born the day The Beatles recorded their first single, and the first two rock and roll albums I owned just out of my toddler phase was the first Monkees record and the A Hard Day’s Night soundtrack. 

    My teen years coincided with the rise of punk rock, and the initial blast of punk was primarily sped up power pop. Catchy tunes played fast, and that is where my description of power pop may be a little bit different from what others consider power pop. There’s a lot of bands in this genre that, honestly, sound a little too wimpy for me. I emphasize the “power” portion of the term.

    Tonight’s show is not only a remembrance of bands and records from that time, but is also a reaction to reading a couple of great books that I recently acquired. Go All The Way: A Literary Appreciation of Power Pop and Go Further: More Literary Appreciations of Power Pop are collections of essays on the genre compiled by Paul Myers and S.W. Lauden. This led me to dig through my iTunes archives to reacquaint myself with some long lost fave, and also asked for some suggestions on Facebook.

    This show is part one of a two part series. Here’s almost 2 1/2 hours of my favorites from the past. Next week will be a show devoted to current (or somewhat current) bands continuing to carry the torch for guitar-driven pop songs. Do you have some favorite current power pop bands or songs? Please let me know!!!

    I would love it if every listener bought at least one record I played on either of these shows. These great artists deserve to be compensated for their hard work, and every purchase surely helps not only pay their bills but fund their next set of wonderful songs. And if you buy these records directly from the artist or label, please let them know you heard these tunes on The Ledge! Let them know who is giving them promotion!

    For more information, including setlists, head to http://scotthudson.blogspot.com

     

    Download MP3 here


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