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
Are You a Boy or Are You a Girl?
Is "Are You a Boy or Are You a Girl?" by The Barbarians the greatest 60s haircut song? Is it a goofy great? a protest song? You better listen and find out ... The Ravens from Columbus, Ohio grew the song out in '66 and add fuzz ... but it's not exactly garage ... or effective. The punk era saw short haircuts but a paradoxically longer version of the song by The Dogs, from Michigan. It rocks and has some cool backing vocals. The 80s garage revival brought back garage cuts, and The Nuthins -from Salisbury, not London! - brought back this one. Some cool 12-string geetar and snotty vocals - slap it on at your next Shindig! More recently, RTX covered the song and it evokes the long-haired 80s. This one's wee-urd! - Jennifer Herrema sounds like Macho Man Randy Savage and the band sounds like several Yngwe Malmsteen's. Yeah, boys wear pants!!!