The Strange Brew - artist stories behind the greatest music ever recorded

Harold Bronson describes his journey from a devoted fan and music journalist to co-founding Rhino Records. Drawing from his 40-year diary, ‘Time Has Come Today’, he reveals his encounters with Badfinger, Black Sabbath, ELO, The Turtles, The Monkees, and Arthur Lee. Further information Time Has Come Today: Rock and Roll Diaries 1967-2007 at Trouserpress Books Harold Bronson Facebook Har...

Denmark Street, Britain’s Tin Pan Alley, played a pivotal role in the music industry. Peter Watts takes us from through the street’s history including its 1960s heyday; with The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Elton John and David Bowie frequenting it for guitars, meetings and recording. Despite its decline, it became the rehearsal space for the Sex Pistols and today remains a hub for mus...

Explore the layers of Jenny Boyd’s life and her book ‘Icons of Rock – In Their Own Words.’ From her roots in the 1960s London music scene and marriage to Mick Fleetwood, to the magical days of Fleetwood Mac, Jenny shares insights from the Beatles’ ashram, 60s counterculture, and the evolution of classic songs. Jenny delves into the enigma of creativity through interviews with Geo...

In a bonus episode, Glen Matlock is in conversation with Jason Barnard for the CAT Club in Pontefract, Yorkshire. Guided by Glen’s book Triggers, they discuss his upbringing, influences including The Faces and David Bowie, London punk scene of the 70s, the writing of Sex Pistols songs, his relationships with the other Pistols and manager Malcolm McLaren, and he reflects on the group’s...

Two of folk music’s most celebrated songwriters, Tom Paxton and John McCutcheon delve into their vibrant songwriting partnership. They reflect on the influence of Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger, the 1960s Greenwich Village scene and the origins of ‘The Last Thing on My Mind’, ‘Ramblin’ Boy’, ‘Christmas in the Trenches’ and ‘Whose Garden Was This’. Further information Tom Paxton & John McCutcheo...

As The Pineapple Thief gets ready to release their new album It Leads To This and hit the road across Europe, their founder Bruce Soord chooses highlights from their catalogue. For a quarter of a century, The Pineapple Thief have been exploring and expanding the possibilities of progressive rock. Bruce shares his secrets of songwriting and reveals the joys and struggles of being an artist in the m...

New podcast: Morgan Fisher shares his remarkable journey in music. Morgan takes us on a trip from 60s pop stars Love Affair, prog rock group Morgan, Mott the Hoople, British Lions, Queen and solo work encompassing art-punk, ambient and collaborations with the likes of Yoko Ono. Further information morgan.fisher.com British Lions (Roaring Edition) (Think Like A Key Music) The Paper Bags – Kristmas...

Annie Haslam of Renaissance shares her memories of John Wetton and highlights with Renaissance. Annie talks about how she first met John in 1971, when he briefly joined Renaissance, and how they reconnected later in their lives. Annie also discusses joining Renaissance and the songs that defined their sound, including Mother Russia and Northern Lights . Annie also gives an update on her current an...

John Cowsill (The Cowsills, The Beach Boys) and Vicki Peterson (The Bangles) discuss Action Skulls, their collaboration with Bill Mumy. John and Vicki cover their intertwined journeys, from The Cowsills on Ed Sullivan, the early years of The Bangles, John’s time as a touring member of The Beach Boys to ‘From A Running Horse’ – the new Action Skulls album. Further informatio...

In a bonus podcast, as Crime & the City Solution embark on a European tour, founder Simon Bonney talks how their approach to playing live, latest album ‘the killer’ and key moments in their catalogue. Further information Crime & the City Solution – Bandcamp Crime & the City Solution – Facebook Simon Bonney podcast tracks Podcasts also available: Barry Adamson Th...

Jeff Skunk Baxter’s guitar sound helped shape Steely Dan, The Doobie Brothers and many other artists. However, this podcast also covers a different side of this maestro, as Skunk releases his long-anticipated debut album, Speed of Heat . In this interview, Skunk recalls highlights from his time with Steely Dan and The Doobies plus the inspiration behind his new album, including collaboration...

While power pop didn’t come into nationwide consciousness until 1977, its distinctive sound had been gaining momentum. Pioneering bands such as The Raspberries, Big Star, Blue Ash, and Flamin’ Groovies led a revival in the early 1970s, returning to the energetic, three-minute pop style of the mid-1960s British Invasion. David Wells chronicles the evolution of American power pop through...

Meet Roger Earl, drummer of the classic rock band Foghat. Born in London, he started drumming at age 12, joined Savoy Brown at 20 before co-founding Foghat. The band moved to the US in 1973, enjoying success in the ’70s with hits like Slow Ride and I Just Want To Make Love To You . Known for non-stop touring, Roger’s enduring dedication to rock ‘n’ roll, is embodied in Fogh...

At the heart of The Zombies in the 1960s was their original drummer, Hugh Grundy. Hugh shares his memories helping to craft She’s Not There and Time of the Season , making Odessey and Oracle , sessions with Christie and playing with The Zombies periodically over the last 30 years. Further information The Zombies will be curating their Begin Here Festival across the weekend of 10 – 12 Novembe...

John ‘Rhino’ Edwards is Status Quo’s longtime bassist and songwriter. However, his musical contributions extend even further than Quo, with Rhino also covering highlights from his time with Dexy’s Midnight Runners and Judie Tzuke, plus solo project, Rhino’s Revenge. As he gears up for the release of his solo album, ‘Just Sayin’, John reveals stories from h...

Michael Fennelly, singer-songwriter and guitarist for The Millennium and Crabby Appleton, looks back on his life in music. Michael’s journey took off in the late ’60s, where he played a pivotal role in The Millennium, a collective that blended elements of psychedelic rock and sunshine pop. Michael went on to found Crabby Appleton, with their hit single, Go Back , being a classic of the...

Neil Storey, former head of press at Island Records, delves into 12 pivotal tracks from Island’s first decade. We explore Chris Blackwell’s label formation, the shift from Jamaica to London, and the transition from ska to the British rock scene. Neil has edited The Island Book of Records 1959-68 offering a unique glimpse into the label’s operations and record releases. This autho...

Martin Carthy has undeniably etched his name into the annals of music history. Martin explores his formative years, tracing his musical influences and unraveling the bonds he forged with Bob Dylan and Paul Simon. During Bob Dylan’s pivotal trip to London in 1962, Carthy’s rendition of Lord Franklin ignited Dylan’s creative spark, resulting in Bob Dylan’s Dream . Moreover, M...

John Lodge, the celebrated bassist of The Moody Blues, invites us on a trip through his musical career, culminating in his new album Days of Future Passed – My Sojourn . As we put Days of Future Passed in context, we’ll also revisit some of John’s key songs including Ride My See-Saw , Isn’t Life Strange and I’m Just A Singer (In A Rock And Roll Band) . Further informa...

Clem Burke dives into the details of his forthcoming Lust For Life Tour and regales us with captivating tales from his tenure as Blondie’s iconic drummer. We cover his partnership with Glen Matlock in both groups, Blondie’s formation, influences and hits including Heart of Glass, Dreaming, Sunday Girl and Maria. Further information Lust For Life Tour 2024 – including Clem Burke,...

Frank Allen takes us on a journey through his time with The Searchers and Cliff Bennett and the Rebel Rousers, sharing stories and insights into their most memorable tracks. In this extensive interview, Frank begins with admiration for the Rebel Rousers, evolving from a rhythm guitarist to a bassist. His stint with The Searchers, starting in 1964, is a central focus, with Frank covering their hits...

Fairport Convention’s Simon Nicol explores the band’s extensive back catalogue, providing fresh insights into their music, as they embark on their Autumn 2023 UK Tour. Their tour and this podcast celebrates their 56-year journey with a diverse setlist, including classics and surprises. Further information Fairport Four Piece Autumn Tour, starting 6 October Simon Nicol podcast tracks Po...

Legendary Status Quo drummer, John Coghlan reflects on his career since the 1960s. We start with his early years influenced by jazz, joining The Spectres, Status Quo’s transformation from a pop-psych into hard rock. He also covered his other projects including Partners In Crime, Diesel, and reforming Quo’s Frantic Four lineup. In recent years, he has been playing with John Coghlan&#821...

In early 1968 Focal Point were one of the hottest prospects in British music. They were the first act signed to Apple Publishing, named by Brian Epstein and praised by the Beatles. In this recovered podcast from 2011, Jason Barnard goes to Liverpool where Dave Slater and Tim Wells from the group tell their rarely heard story. Further information Focal Point – First Bite of the Apple article Focal...

Kiki Dee delves into her musical career over the last 60 years. We start by exploring her 29 year partnership with guitarist and producer, Carmelo Luggeri, which finds the duo revealing their creative process. We then go back to Kiki’s early years, time on Motown, collaborations with Elton John, hit singles and musical legacy that transcends eras. Kiki’s tale is one of musical evolutio...