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  • The Ledge #562: First Quarter Report

    Posted on by theledge Comment

    As this is the last show of the first quarter of 2023, and even airing on the last day of the month, it’s only natural that we take a look back at some of the stunning new records released so far thsi year. It has been quite a year, especialy if you are a fan of guitar-driven music. Power pop, in particular, has made a great comeback this year, highlighted by the likes of The Whiffs, Local Drags, and Ryan Allen And His Extra Arms.

    But it’s also a great year for returning legends. Yo La Tengo, The Long Ryders, The Church, and Iggy Pop released their best albums in years. Billy Childish reunited the legendary Thee Headcoats for their first album in 22 years, and it’s a smoker!

    For this show, obviously, the main highlight comes from the “52 Weeks of Teenage Kicks” subtheme, and we received thrilling news earlier this week. The very first person I contacted when I came up with this idea was Malibu Lou from Rum Bar Records. Obviously, I was hoping that he could convince some of his bands to participate (and I still hope they do). What I wasn’t expecting was for Lou to make the very first new submission. Weeks later, Lou uploaded his cover as a free Bandcamp single, and it’s now in rotation on SiriusXM’s Underground Garage!

    As a thank you, I’m again airing Lou’s cover, but this week’s opening spot goes to The Dollyrots’ cover that was found on last year’s Down the Rabbit Hole compilation. Once again, though, I’m pleading with all listeners, musicians, labels and/or anybody else to please record their own version of the Undertones’ classic. I’d love for some more new submissions to air, and maybe it can lead to bigger things just like what happened with Malibu Lou!!! If you have any questions, please send an email to paulisded@gmail.com

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

     

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  • The Ledge #561: More Home Plays

    Posted on by theledge Comment

    Just like last week, this episode is primarily based around what I’ve been listening to in the Ledge home base over the last few days. Some of it is brand new material. Much of it has been old faves that span almost 60 years of great rock and roll.

    Overall, though, this show is primarily a showcase for old and new power pop. In the new category, there are fabulous new tracks by The Whiffs, Sharp Pins, Uni Boys, and The Trouble Seekers, along with “excavated” recordings by The Bings and Popsicko. 

    As for old faves, it’s a history lesson of sorts. There’s The Monkees and The Kinks from the 60s. The Jam, The Flamin’ Groovies, Nick Lowe, Graham Parker, and The Rubinoos from the 70s. The 80s are represented by the likes of The Barracudas,  Dwight Twilley, The Bongos, and Camper Van Beethoven. Maybe the 90s aren’t as highly represented, but there is “Tayter Country” by The Cavedogs, quite possibly my favorite song of 1980.

    As for the “52 Weeks of Teenage Kicks”, this week’s version comes from The Mahones, the legendary Canadian/Irish punk band that always features a quality cover or two on each of their albums. Their version of “Teenage Kicks” is twice represented on their (mostly) live A Great Night On the Lash record. The first version is the final song of their encore, while the tune aired tonight comes from a bonus “Belfast Sessions” tacked on to the end.

    Like always, I’m still out here pleading for brand new versions of “Teenage Kicks”. Please pass the word on to all of your musician friends. If you have questions, or have a submission, shoot me an email at paulisded@gmail.com

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

     

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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

     

    Download MP3 here


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  • The Ledge #559: New Releases (Pt. 2)

    Posted on by theledge Comment

    The second part of this month’s new release series sees no drop off from last week’s extravaganza. In fact, it makes the case that 2023 is shaping up to be yet another great year of music. There are long-awaited returns by The Reverend Horton Heat, Chickasaw Mud Puppies, Cheater Slicks, and Shonen Knife. There are great new bands such as Civic,  Strange Neighbors, and The Circulators. There’s some punk. There’s some power pop. There’s some indie rock. Yep, just like normal.

    This week’s entry for the 52 Weeks of Teenage Kicks series is a version that was released in 2022. The Knee-Hi’s are a great Chicago based band whose album, Charmed, is described on their site as “a living love letter to rock ‘n’ roll, serving up a mixture of rock, punk, glam, power pop, garage and doo-wop”. Sounds like a Ledge band, right?

    Once again I’m pleading for anybody out there to send in their own versions. I want as many new covers as possible! All you have to do is record it and forward it to paulisded@gmail.com.

    For more information, 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

     

    Download MP3 here


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  • The Ledge #557: 1998

    Posted on by theledge Comment

    It’s always shocking when you stumble upon tweets or articles noting the anniversary of beloved albums. You can’t help but wonder how something that seems like it came out yesterday is actually…well, old!

    That’s the case with tonight’s show. Every single song you hear is 25 years old. It’s just insane to me that some of my favorite Americana (Son Volt, Golden Smog, Drive-By Truckers), power pop (Sloan, Tommy Keene, Nada Surf), singer/songwriter (Elliott Smith, Silver Jews), and punk (Fugazi, Screeching Weasel, Bad Religion) records have hit this milestone. It just doesn’t feel like nostalgia

    As for the “52 Weeks of Teenage Kicks” entry, I’ve got a fabulous rarity. 1998 saw the release of Scandal Controvery and Romance, the classic debut record by The Prissteens. To celebrate the 45th birthday of their A&R rep, Howard Thompson, the pressed up 45 copies of a tribute song called “Oh Howard!”. The b-side of this single was their Undertones cover that featured a few lyrical changes and retitled “Teenage Dicks”. (Both of these tracks were eventually reissued on 2020’s The Hound collection of rarities and demos.)

    Once again, I’m always actively looking for new covers of “Teenage Kicks”. Please don’t hesitate to create your own personal spin on one of the greatest songs of all time. Contact me at paulisded@gmail.com if you have a version to submit or if you have any questions regarding this project.

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

     

    Download MP3 here


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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

     

    Download MP3 here


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  • The Ledge #553: Miscellany

    Posted on by theledge Comment

    Every now and then it’s nice to have a show without any real theme, and that’s what we have tonight. Instead, it’s really just a collection of records I’ve been listening to over the last few weeks, and interesting collection of various genres that represent over 50 years of great rock and roll. There’s a handful of recent releases side by side with all time classics. There are veteran bands that are brand new to me, and relatively new artists that I’ve been obsessed with over the last few months.

    Of course, there’s also this week’s selection for the “52 Weeks of Teenage Kicks” subtheme. I’ve got a homegrown talent by the name of Link West, and his mainly acoustic version is a really nice change of pace. He also contributed a little piece of spoken word audio where he talks of his love of the song and his history of playing it in his original band in Columbus, Ohio. He describes the tune as “50% bubblegum, 50% booty call”. I can’t argue with that.

    Link West’s version marks a run of (at least) three straight weeks of listener contributions, but of course I always want more. Nothing would make me happier than an entire year of brand new versions of one of my favorite songs of all time. If you don’t have the capabilities to record your own cover, please reach out to any musician friends to contribute their version. If you have any questions, or if you have a version set to go, please contact me at paulisded@gmail.com

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

     

    Download MP3 here


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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

     

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  • The Ledge #551: 1993

    Posted on by theledge Comment

    I have to admit that tonight’s show made me feel like an old man. Sure, I’ve done shows devoted to individual years on a regular basis, but I’ve fully understood that the songs featured on a broadcast like last week’s 1978 tribute were nostalgic looks at the past.

    But tonight’s show featuring (almost) nothing but tunes from 1993 didn’t feel like a nostalgia trip. These songs don’t feel like they are 30 years old. I swear they were released just a few years ago. Maybe it’s because I still have such a connection to records like Archers of Loaf’s Icky Mettle. Or the fact that Bikini Kill’s “Rebel Girl” still packs the same punch it did back when it was released. Plus, I’ve obviously spent plenty of time with all of the solo albums released by former members of The Replacements.

    Even this week’s second edition of my “52 Weeks of Teenage Kicks” dates back to 1993, and in a weird sort of twist was the reason I came up with this idea. As I said last week, I had earlier realized that I owned quite a few versions of the song. But I had read on Facebook that a great Minneapolis band from the early 90’s, Loose Rails, were back together and playing a show around Christmas. I loved their 1992 album, Red Turns To Green, on Crackpot Records, and I believe I even interviewed them back then before they played here in Sioux Falls.

    So with this news that they were doing some gigs once again, I went to discogs to see if they had some music other than that album. Sure enough, they had also released a trio of singles around that same time, and their final single featured a version of “Teenage Kicks”! That led to a Facebook plea for anybody who had a copy of that cover, and Matt Potts from Loose Rails actually sent me a physical copy of the seven inch! 

    With the tune added to my folder of covers, it seemed like an obvious idea so I’m so happy to be airing their version on this episode. Once again, I would love for any band or label who has either recorded their own cover of the tune or maybe once played it live to submit their versions for future instalments of the series. I’ve already received a couple of submissions, and a few promises. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask! Just email paulisded@theledge

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

     

    Download MP3 here


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