Ugly Things

In Part 2 of our special Velvet Underground episode we explore more of Lou Reed’s activities at Pickwick Records, the public appearances of the Primitives, the Soundsville LP, the Surfsiders, and Lou’s first musical collaboration with John Cale, “Why Don’t You Smile Now.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode Mike Stax talks to writer and Velvet Undergound expert Phil Milstein about Lou Reed’s early days as a songwriter for a budget record label, and the unlikely series of events that led to him first meeting John Cale – a classical/avant-garde musician from Wales who’d come to America to study composition on a Leonard Bernstein scholarship – and forming an alliance that would have an i...

In late 1967 Elektra Record released the only album by Clear Light, a multi-faceted jewel of melodic folk-rock and fierce psychedelia delivered with dramatic flair. In this episode music writer and researcher Gray Newell talks about how he tracked down all of the band members in order to write the definitive story of this dazzling but overlooked West Coast band. Learn more about your ad choices. V...

In 1968 four high school kids from upstate New York had the pluck and ambition to make an album of their best songs. They called it ALL OF THUS. They pressed only 265 copies via the custom pressing company Century Records and sold them at their high school. It’s considered one of the most obscure and collectible teen garage albums of the era. Mike speaks to drummer Barry Dalgleish. Learn more abou...

Mike Stax speaks with the band’s two surviving members, guitarist Chris Britton and bass man Pete Staples, who regale us with a stream of hilarious and fascinating Troggs tales, including the story behind the infamous “Troggs Tapes”. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ugly Things Magazine, the ultimate rock ‘n’ roll read is now a podcast! Hosted by author and music journalist Mike Stax, Ugly Things brings you wild sounds from past dimensions, when rock ‘n’ roll was young, daring, dangerous and vital. Each episode brings you the very best in British beat, 1960s garage rock and psychedelic music, featuring interviews and profiles about the era's most influential...