The UCR Podcast

Garth Hudson, the talented multi-instrumentalist and careful archivist for the Band, passed away this week at the age of 87. Matt Wardlaw and Nick DeRiso discuss Hudson's remarkable career and the many things that made him special.

Dickey Betts opened an important door for Warren Haynes when he hired the guitarist to play in his solo band in the late '80s. When the Allman Brothers Band reformed in 1989, Haynes found himself in the lineup, thanks to another invitation from Betts. During a pair of 2024 conversations with Matt, Haynes discussed what made Betts special and how the late guitarist -- and others, including his ment...

Chicago's Lee Loughnane joins Matt to look back at the band's debut album more than 55 years later. Separately, Matt, Nick DeRiso and Jeff Giles begin the podcast with a discussion about the complex history of the group.

In the second half of our conversation with punk legend Henry Rollins, we dig deeper into the collecting that helped inspire his Stay Fanatic! series of books. We also get into more musical topics, including Henry's experience at Woodstock '94, meeting Tom Petty and the day that he found out that David Bowie was a fan.

In the first part of a lengthy conversation, punk legend Henry Rollins discusses numerous topics, including his ongoing passion for music collecting and how that led to his latest series of Stay Fanatic! books. Rollins also tells Matt how his listening habits have changed over the years and why he now hears music by bands like Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin with fresh ears.

The UCR gang have reunited to discuss what's ahead in the new year that we're looking forward to, including AC/DC and Guns N' Roses returning to the road. Plus, we're thinking about what could happen in 2025. Will we see Ozzy Osbourne back on stage? Is a reunion possible between Graham Nash, Stephen Stills and Neil Young? Who will be the next bands to play the Sphere in Las Vegas? Allison Rapp, Br...

REO Speedwagon co-founder Neal Doughty and longtime bassist Bruce Hall share with UCR their side of the complicated series of events that led to the announcement that the band would cease touring at the end of 2024.

The UCR gang is together today to discuss a bunch of holiday-related topics. How do we feel about Whamageddon, why do people hate and love songs like "Last Christmas" and "Wonderful Christmastime" so much? What is it that makes a holiday song good? Allison Rapp, Bryan Rolli and Corey Irwin join Matt to dig through this and other festive topics!

Matt Wardlaw, Nick DeRiso and Jeff Giles discuss Foreigner's polarizing fifth album. We also dip into the UCR Archives to revisit a career-spanning 2013 interview with Foreigner founder and guitarist Mick Jones.

As Pearl Jam's Vitalogy album marks its 30th anniversary, longtime band associate Brett Eliason joins Matt Wardlaw and Chuck Armstrong to look back. We discuss everything that was happening in that time period, as well as the early days of the group and his memories of the days prior to the release of Ten. The guys talk about numerous other highlights, including Brett's experience being in the stu...

UCR correspondent Gary Graff joins Matt to discuss some essential '90s albums and what made it such an important decade for music. They also talk about what makes an album essential and why some of the biggest bands aren't in Gary's new book. You'll hear tales of Woodstock '94, the days when Gary used to take a "coffin" to the concerts he was covering and he shares one of his most interesting inte...

Matt Wardlaw, Bryan Rolli and Matthew Wilkening break down today's AC/DC tour announcement. The guys discuss what they'd like to see happen with the upcoming shows and what the future of AC/DC might look like.

Heart's Nancy Wilson joins the podcast to talk about a variety of subjects, including the band's early days and her upcoming appearance at Women's Rock Camp in December. Matt Wardlaw and Allison Rapp also discuss UCR's Rock Reading List: 35 Music Books Released in 2024.

Matt Wardlaw and Bryan Rolli discuss Bryan's recent UCR list of the top 40 glam metal songs and what makes glam metal special. In our featured interview, legendary producer Tom Allom joins Matt to talk about Judas Priest's new remix of their debut album, Rocka Rolla, plus numerous highlights from his long career.

In the first episode of the UCR Podcast, the Pink Floyd legend takes stock of his musical career, past, present and future, including his latest album, Luck and Strange. Matt Wardlaw and Matthew Wilkening also analyze Gilmour's recent tour and how his set list compares to the one from Roger Waters' last outing in 2022-2023.