The Ledge (mp3)

Every now and then, I put together shows that are all about what I’ve been listening to in my humble abode. This seems like a good time for another of these types of broadcasts. So what you have tonight is some great faves from the likes of The Damned, The Cramps, Eater, The Saints, The Undertones, and so much more. I have a set devoted to two tracks from the new Wreckless Eric album, accomp...

It’s a new year, and we’re starting off with a kick ass set of brand new music. It may be the slow time for new releases, but there’s still a ton of great rock and roll coming out each and every day. There’s new music from our friends Numb Surprise, some great releases on Big Stir and Rum Bar Records, and a couple of fabulous split-band records. Plus, CTMF covers two fabulo...

Sometime between Thanksgiving and Christmas, I pull out all of my records that I’ve acquired over the past twelve months, along with my giant hard drive of files, and I put together a list of the 40 best albums of the year (along with another list of reissues). Besides a box set of homemade CD’s I hand to my friends, the results of this endeavor is my year end retrospective show. The f...

It’s that time of year again! Yes, it’s the annual Ledge Christmas episode, and I’m so happy that this year it’s (almost) all brand new material! Even better, there’s a large contingent of friends who have supplied me with proper tunes for this broadcast. In fact, wiht the likes of Numb Surprise, White Rose Motor Oil, Geoff Palmer, Vista Blue, and close to two full se...

I wanted to call this the final new release episode of 2025, but that’s technically not true as next week’s holiday extravaganza will feature almost all new tracks. But it’s the last “real” episode of this sort, and it’s as great as any show of this type we’ve put together all year. There’s a ton of veteran acts featured this week – The Wedding...

Here we are in the final month of the year, and we are still able to do a multi-episode new release series. Decades ago, this would have been impossible. With the exception of a title or two, all superstar releases were out by Thanksgiving (not that this fact would effect The Ledge). Not only did the physical media have to be prepared weeks or months in advance, but all publicity (press, videos, T...

I have been a huge fan of Steven H. Gardiner’s Another Tuneless Racket series of books documenting the punk and new wave scenes of the 70s. Just a few weeks ago I finished the most recent volume which documents the eastern half of our country. I was especially taken by the marathon length chapter detailing everything that happened in Boston during this time, and I spent hours devouring a ton...

The unprecedented third show of new releases this month ends the series not with a whimper but with triumph. These aren’t extras or third-rate fillers. The tracks aired tonight proudly stand next to those played in the first two shows. In fact, this episode is not only the longest but most varied of the trio. Part of the reason for the length, though, is the last minute decision to add a set...

I’ve been prone to announce on my first set of monthly new release episodes that it’s devoted to “friends of the show”. But that’s not to say that part two doesn’t include my rock and roll pals. No, no, no. In fact, the second episode always involves a lengthy set devoted to my super special friends at Rum Bar Records. Malibu Lou has always been so supportive of...

I was going through the motions of selecting songs for the planned two new release episodes for November, and I quickly realized that I had way too many songs! What a problem to have, right? So for the first time, this month’s new release series will be three full episodes! Yes, I know earlier this year I had some leftovers for a third episode, but I’m talking about three full shows of...

As a rule I generally don’t go to class reunions. They’re just too weird for me, and I’m not great at the “what are you doing these days” types of conversations. But a few weeks ago was my 40th year college reunion, and a handful of great old friends convinced me to attend some of the festivities. Truthfully, I have to thank those old pals, as I ended up having a grea...

I must admit I was of two minds about when to do this year’s special Halloween show. My first thought was that since the actual holiday falls on a Ledge night I’d just save it for that evening. Makes perfect sense, right? But then again, it’s a dated show once it hits November. Isn’t it smarter to do it a full week ahead so fans of ghoulish rock and roll can enjoy my spooky...

The second part of this month’s new release series is honestly a little more full tilt rock and roll than usual. It’s not by any grand scheme. It’s just how the tracks (and relese dates) work out. What is typica that once again there’s a tasty set of Rum Bar Records new releases, and two full sets of great female-led tracks, including ther great returns of Cindy Lawson and...

I had just finalized the tracks for the first part of the October new release series when I received some tragic news. South Dakota Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame member (and good pal) Dave Scarbrough had passed away. Obviously, that changed tonight’s broadcast as I needed to share some of the great music Dave produced over the past 40 years or so. Dave’s music story began when he first he...

The last Friday of September means that this is also the last episode of The Ledge during the third quarter of this year so it’s time for a little look back over the past three months. And once again, it’s a wonderful time to be into the sort of music you hear on this show. Every week there’s great new records being put out. In fact, just today saw the release of a good half doze...

Ok, the “covers” folder is full so it’s again time for a show of nothing but remakes! What’s surprising is that it usually takes five or six months to be ready for each of this type, but it was only two months ago that I utilized this theme. But then again, there’s been a plethora of tribute albums in the last few weeks, mot notably the fabulous Make Something Happen:...

Believe it or not, there are actually rules when it comes to The Ledge’s new release series. The main rule is simple – when there is a two part new release series the deadline for both shows is the start of the part one’s Friday night broadcast. But rules don’t really work in rock and roll, so every now and then I do have to make an important executive decision. That’...

Another month, another two episodes devoted to new music! This week’s part one is centered around two great tribute albums released by two great labels. Our friends at Big Stir Records are set to release a fabulous tribute to power pop hall of famers The Flashcubes on September 12. I’m featuring five tracks off this great release that I’m sure y’all will love. There’s...

Last week’s look at what’s been spinning on the Hudson turntable was so fun that I thought we’d do it again. This week’s version, though, differs in that it also includes some digital treats. The announcement from the Numero Group of the upcoming Husker Du box, 1985 The Miracle Year was a no-brainer when it was accompanied by four more new sneak peaks. And I couldn’t...

If you happen to follow me on social media (and why wouldn’t you?) you have probably noticed that every week I post a collage of some of the albums I’ve listened to over the course of the week that I note as from “the Hudson Compound”. Well, tonight’s show is an audio version of one of those collages. Every track I played tonight comes from a record that has either be...

This week’s broadcast is sort of two different episodes combined together. The first 45 minutes or so consists of songs left over from the previous two week’s new reelease episodes. They’re not leftovers in terms of quality, though. They were just the last couple of sets of material that would have caused last week’s show to be well over 2 1/2 hours. And sure, having those...

This month’s second part of The Ledge new release is dominated by two of my favorite regular elements – female-led rock and roll and Rum Bar Records.   There are two lengthy sets of high octane bands led by female vocals, along with the show-opening debut of Tamar Berk’s new single, “Stay Close By”, which was released today! The full album comes out on Septe...

It’s a new month so obviously it’s time for another two part new release series. Like usual, tonight’s part one is full of “friends of the show” that includes artists on Big Stir Records, along with tracks submitted by the likes of The New Brutarians, Jim Basnight, and many others. There’s also a sneak peak at the upcoming Superchunk album, and a handful of tune...

The folder was almost full so I decided the time was right for a covers show. The key words are “almost full”, though. As late as this morning I was a few songs short of a full show. But I had faith. First off, I discovered the reissue of a 2012 covers EP by Black Furies called Get Down With It that included a cover of “Teenage Kicks”. Wait, what? It seems like every time I...

I generally label the first part of the monthly new release series the “friends of the show” broadcast. Looking at tonight’s folder of tunes, though, the sequel actually has more artists of that sort than part one had. As always, there’s  lengthy set recapping a ton of wonderful Rum Bar Records release. Let’s face it, thanks to their generosity and the sherr numb...