In The Past: Garage Rock Podcast
The usual format is this: we pick a song from the 1950s or 1960s (genres range from garage, R&B, Girl Groups, Motown and Doo-Wop), and discuss three versions of that song, or sometimes we just play a song we haven’t heard before and react to it. We’ve covered classics like “Little Bit o’ Soul” and “Psychotic Reaction” to rarities like “Jump and Dance” by the Carnaby, and “Ringo I Love You” by Bonnie Jo Mason (aka Cher). Our aim is to discuss what makes these songs interesting, ineffable, or even intolerable. We place special emphasis on the “moments” in these songs where, perhaps, a new interpretation will emerge from. A close look at song structure is also present in our discussions. If that sounds academic, maybe it is a little bit, but we like to keep the analysis in the spirit of the songs we speak of – which means we drink some spirits (for Erik, it’s bourbon, for Weldon, it’s Stambecco) – and that means by the third song, things can get a little wild. Basically, we talk about rock!
In The Past: Garage Rock Podcast
C'mon Everybody
Three versions of the rock n roll classic, "C'mon Everybody" - the original, a garage gem, and a late 60s oddity. Eddie Cochran got the party started in 1958 (1:12). We confront the conspiracy of silence that surrounds the song's instrumentation, but we can tell you that are rockabilly riffs galore and some spiffy strum 'n' drum. We discuss how EC's lyrics walk the line between wholesomeness and wild teenage rebellion: a coming-of-age story in every line! We deem the song a proto-hippie communal anthem, because why wouldn't we? The second versh is different from the first - The Staccatos and their 1966 rendition (58:08). HEY! Here's a garage-ified version by the Ottawa band who will become The Five Man Electrical Band. This version adds FUZZ and modulation. Will you like it? All SIGNS point to yes. The last to come and the last to leave are NRBQ (1:18:30) . The very first song the New Rhythm & Blues Quartet ever released way back in '69- wotta statement! A non-heavy version which came out a year after Blue Cheer crushed another Cochran classic. They make it longer, keep the fun intact and add handclaps as a matter of fact. Ah, who cares?!