Music Maps Podcast

In this episode we welcome back Mudhoney guitarist Steve Turner & pick things up with the formation of Mudhoney - first Mark Arm joins Steve’s band The Thrown Ups & they meet drummer Dan Peters soon after.  Matt Lukin joins soon after to complete the lineup & Mudhoney come into being on New Years Day of 1988. Their first gig follows in April 1988 & SubPop Records forms soon af...

This week we welcome Ali Smith, a New York photographer, musician, and writer of the memoir 'The Ballad of Speedball Baby.'  The conversation explores Ali's formative musical influences growing up in New York, her experiences in the punk scene, particularly at the iconic CBGBs, and the evolution of her band Speedball Baby.  We discuss the challenges of being a woman in a male-dominated m...

In this episode of Music Maps, we welcome back Simon Wolstencroft, the former drummer of The Fall. His book You Can Drum But You Can't Hide is out now on Route Publishing. Funky Si joined The Fall in 1986 after his previous band The Weeds had opened for them. Following a meeting at Mark E. Smith's house in Prestwich it became official. 'Hey Luciani' becomes the first Fall track he works on with pr...

This week we are joined by legendary photographer Gered Mankowitz to discuss his time with the Rolling Stones, focusing on 1965 to 1967.  Gered shares how he entered the world of music photography via a meeting with Peter Sellers, later opening his own studio in Central London, aged 17.  A photograph of Marianne Faithfull led to a meeting with Andrew Loog Oldham which in turn led to meet...

In this episode of Music Maps we are joined by Penderyn Prize winning writer Michael Cragg to dig into the history and impact of the Spice Girls. We explore their formation in 1994 via an audition process & their early days sharing a house in Maidenhead. Originally they are known as Touch & original member Michelle Stephenson leaves after 3 months & Emma Bunton completes the lineup. Th...

In this episode of Music Maps, hosts Mark Hart and Simon Cardwell welcome back Lesley-Ann Jones to discuss her latest book on Christine McVie from Fleetwood Mac. The conversation explores McVie's early life, her musical influences, and her journey through the music industry, including her early career with Chicken Shack and her later success with Fleetwood Mac. The hosts delve into the dynamics wi...

This week we are joined by legendary music PR Alan Edwards - we discuss Alan's journey from the early days of punk in London, seeing the Sex Pistols at the Nashville, The Stranglers & their infamous Battersea Park gig, promoting Blondie in Britain, visiting Prince at Paisley Park, playing football with Bob Marley & an early PR gig with The Who, Alan went on to work extensively with The Rol...

This week we welcome Steve Diggle, original founder member of Buzzcocks, to discuss his memoir 'Autonomy: My Life as a Buzzcock'. The conversation explores Steve's early life in Manchester - growing up in the suburb of Bradford, the influence of music in the 60s, and the formation of Buzzcocks amidst the early UK punk scene. Steve shares personal anecdotes about his childhood, the impact of hearin...

Angela Jaeger is our guest to discuss her unique Punk Diaries 1977-1981 book documenting her experiences in the punk rock scene in New York & London. Angela shares her journey growing up in the East Village, her encounters with the likes of Lydia Lunch, Joe Strummer, Viv Albertine & John Belushi. She was right in the thick of the vibrant New York punk scene & became a regular visitor t...

We welcome back Steve Wynn from the Dream Syndicate for Part 2 of our conversation, delving into the band's experiences touring with U2, the departure of band member Kendra, and the challenges of recording their follow-up album with A&M Records. We discuss the bands extensive touring with R.E.M. as well as their dramatic rise, the conscious shift in sound during tours, the indie rock movement'...

We welcome Don Letts to discuss his experiences with The Clash - from directing every music video the band made to joining them on the pivotal White Riot tour in 1977, his initial impressions on meeting the band, the key gig with the Sex Pistols at the Nashville with Joe Strummer’s 101ers.  Don shares anecdotes about filming the band, trips to America and his interactions with legendary filmm...

This week we welcome Joel Gion of the Brian Jonestown Massacre, to discuss his memoir In The Jingle Jangle Jungle and the vibrant music scene of San Francisco in the 90s. We explore Joel's early experiences in the city, his journey to becoming a musician, the early Shoegaze scene in San Francisco including seeing Lush, Ride & The Jesus & Mary Chain at local venues. We go through the evolut...

Michael Hann is our guest to explore the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, focusing on its origins, key figures, and the cultural impact of the movement. The conversation delves into the role of Neil Kay in promoting heavy metal, the emergence of local bands, the DIY aesthetic of self-released records, and the significance of venues and radio in shaping the scene. We also highlight the rise of reco...

Join us for a live episode of Music Maps recorded at the legendary Walthamstow Trades Hall with John Doran in conversation with artist, writer and musician Cosey Fanni Tutti about her life, her new book 'Re-Sisters', and her connections to influential figures like Delia Derbyshire and Margery Kempe. The discussion features the impact of the Radiophonic Workshop, the historical significance of Marg...

David Nolan takes us on a tour of Granadaland - including Tony Wilson & his various TV programmes such as So It Goes & The Other Side of Midnight, the Beatles TV debut in October 1962, the Sex Pistols TV debut followed in 1976. Muddy Waters and Sister Rosetta Tharpe also performed on Granada TV in 1964 & the network also produced key music recordings & documentaries including The R...

Don Letts shares his rich musical journey, starting from his childhood in Brixton, where he experienced a blend of Jamaican and British music. He reflects on the cultural impact of radio and television on music consumption, the profound influence of The Beatles, and his personal connection with Bob Marley. Letts also discusses the rise of reggae in the UK, the intersection of punk and reggae, and...

Yvonne Innes joins us to explore the life and legacy of Neil Innes, touching on his early days in Soho, his experiences with the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band, and his connections with Monty Python and The Beatles. Yvonne shares personal anecdotes about their life together, the creative process behind Neil's music, and his impact on children's television. The discussion also details the formation of The...

In this episode we delve into the life and music of Arthur Russell, exploring his eclectic style, early influences, and the New York Lower East Side music scene that shaped his career. Richard shares insights from his book 'Travels Over Feeling: Arthur Russell', discussing Arthur's unique approach to music, his connections with notable figures, and the cultural context of his work. The conversatio...

Today we are joined by Pulp drummer Nick Banks to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Different Class. It starts with Jarvis Cocker bringing in a rough cassette of a new track named Common People, it proves a difficult song to nail in the studio but once Chris Thomas comes in as producer it is honed into the bands first bonafide hit single, reaching number 2 in the charts. Disco 2000 is another tr...

In this episode of Music Maps, Johnny Hopkins, former head of press and publicist for Oasis at Creation Records, shares his journey into the music industry, his early obsession with music, and the pivotal moments that led to Oasis's rise. It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of produc...

On May 31st 1993 Alan McGee walked into King Tut's War War Hut in Glasgow & stumbled upon Oasis - immediately after the gig he rang Creation Records Press Officer Johnny Hopkins to enthuse about his new discovery - the calls were repeated every hour throughout the night. Johnny joins us this week for the first part of our conversation about the beginnings of Oasis & the making of their deb...

It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link: ko-fi.com/musicmaps Join us to discuss the music book of 2024 & one of the best music books of all time - Street Level Superstar - A Year With Lawrence has swept the board in the...

Tiffany Murray grew up at Rockfield Studios after her Mum was appointed chef - she tells us about meeting Black Sabbath & Ozzy Osbourne, David Bowie, Queen, Iggy Pop, Motorhead, Simple Minds, The Teardrop Explodes, Echo & The Bunnymen, Adam & The Ants, Siouxsie Sioux, Lemmy's parents, Showaddywaddy, Rush, Bauhaus & more. One memorable moment came when she heard Freddie Mercury rehe...

Join us on our first trip to Seattle for part 1 of our conversation with Steve Turner from Mudhoney - Steve's book Mudride is out now on Omnibus Press. It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link: ko-fi.com/musicmaps It is hugel...

This week we are joined by ex The Fall drummer Simon Wolstencroft AKA Funky Si - after meeting Ian Brown & John Squire at Altrincham Grammar School he & John follow The Clash around the UK travelling to gigs as far away as Bristol & London. In addition to a huge interest in The Sex Pistols & The Clash, other bands they follows as teens included The Slits, The Ramones, Siouxsie &amp...