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
1, 2, 3 Red Light
We chew on some bubblegum on this week’s episode: namely the 1910 Fruitgum Company and their 1968 confection "1,2,3 Red Light" (1:13) . Music for the neglected tweenage market! Was bubblegum rebellious or counter-revolutionary? P(r)eppy vocals, circus organ, tight harmonies and bass, snappy drums and sexual innuendo! We give the original song the green light to go, go, go!!! The next pack comes from some mysterios in 1969 named the Zig Zag People (53:40) These hepcats bully the bubblegum song into an acid-washed treatment (with horns!). Weldon discusses the French avant-garde concept of the blague in connection with these psych pranksters. Bubblegum got updated in the new millenium, and Apache Dropout and their 2012 version is evidence of that (1:19:13) A reverent, reverb-drenched rendition by some recent rockers. They throw some dirt on the grave of the bubblegum movement – or are they digging it back up? These songs will stay in your body for seven years!!