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!
Episodes
275 episodes
My White Bicycle
Let's get on our bikes and ride this weekend !!- we're talking about Tomorrow's 1967 psych classic, "My White Bicycle." A story of a rebellious youth flouting society's conventions, full of trippy headphone frolicking! Leviathan
2 Good 2 Ignore: Point Five
You're about to hear one of the most wounded garage rock tunes ever this week - "Point Five", by another group of Nomads, this one from Pennsylvania. There's something about this one that stands out - from the powerless vocals, ...
Rick Picks
As a follow up to our "Dick Picks" episode, we have an embarassment of Riches this week - including Rick and The Raiders (the first record by Rick Derringer!), The Old Exciting Scot Richard Case, and more!
Action Woman by The Electras!
After our episode on Minneapolis garage rock (#273, April 17, 2026), we discovered that another Gopher State band had recorded "Action Woman," and the vocal performance is even wilder than The Litter! We hearken to The Electras
Dick Picks!
A buncha songs by a buncha Dicks with some notable organ solos this week: The Dick Watson Five (there were two bands with this name, only one with the titular Dick W.), Dick Roby (goin' solo from The Cas...
Iko Iko
Consider this Fat Friday! - we're doing the legendary Mardi Gras tune "Iko Iko" this week but first we have to reverse the parade back to the 50s to hear the source, James 'Sugar Boy' Crawford & His Cane Cutters and "Jockomo." It's g...
Minneapolis!
This week we're celebrating the music of Minneapolis - and we're sending it out to Pastronaut "Dr. Fate," who requested the last song on our list. The first group of Minneapolitans are The Accents with a boss cover of Lonnie Mack's "Why....
I Wanna Be Free
Some minor audio issues this week - Weldon's mic is too hot! - but it's tempered by a gentle song by The Monkees - "I Wanna Be Free" from 1966. Infact, they did two versions - the first is sweet, simple and stringy with a v...
Psychotic Reaction
Let's go crazy! This week's pick is "Psychotic Reaction" originally by The Count Five - a song which has to be in the Top 10 of all-time garage toonz ... a Yardbirds-style rave-up with great drums & atmospheric harmonica wails. ...
Little Girl by Syndicate of Sound
The Syndicate of Sound's 1966 hit "Little Girl" is a well-known garage nugget and we hopscotch through a bunch of other versions by The Five Kinetics, The Dead Boys, The Banned, The Divinyls, and Dwight Yoa...
Cool Jerk
It's time to dance again! and this week our dance card starts with The Capitols' 1966 hit "Cool Jerk." Erik has a hard time getting over the song's origins and we both blow a gasket over D. Storball's high octane vocal performance....
Songs About Johnny
Here's Johnny!!!! Our latest theme episode features songs about one of the most rock'n'roll names ever. But you wouldn't call "Johnny Angel" by Shelly Fabares rock, though it'll grow on you, unless you're a total yutz ... Song 2 is "John...
Hey Tiger
Look, there's no time for a long descripto, there's a tiger in them thar hills! This week's tune is "Hey Tiger," originally done by the rather capable jazzbos-turned-garagers The Topsy Turbys. Hear their wild story and sounds here! ...
Is Vic There?
The night is young, the mood is mellow, and there's music in our ears ... namely, the 1980 postpunk gem "Is Vic There" by Department S. We discuss the enigmatic lyrics and the surrounding lore of this everdark tune. There's also a versio...
I Ain't No Miracle Worker
Back to the garage this week for a five-pack of versions of "I Ain't No Miracle Worker." The Annette Tucker/Nancy Mantz penned tune (they wrote "I Had Too Much Too Dream Last Night) was originally waxed by The Brogues in 1965. ...
Dream Baby Dream
We must have had too much too dream lately because we're leaving the 60s behind and starting in 1979 with Suicide's beautiful trance-drone, "Dream Baby Dream." It's a fingersnappin' rock n roll lullaby with electronics! Next up, ...
Rumours, Gossip, Words Untrue
Here's a song that's been on the fabled Masterlist for years ... "Rumors, Gossip, Words Untrue", originally by The Knickerbockers. It's got a good riff, harmonies, chord changes, and a faux-sitar sound that will win you over, an...
Brad Berwick: I'm Better Than The Beatles
He might not have made it into your history textbook, but Brad Berwick has recently emerged as one of the most controversial figures of the 1960s. While he may seem less impactful than LBJ or George Wallace, the fact that he sa...
Sweet Jane
What a riff! What great rock 'n' roll asides! What joy in the chorus!! It's "Sweet Jane" by The Velvet Underground! A cavalcade of covers by Brownsville Station, Lou Reed (solo from '74), Eater
I Only Have Eyes For You
It's time for a beautiful song this week... namely, "I Only Have Eyes For You" by Harry Warren (composer) and Al Dubin (lyrics). We start with the original by Dick Powell in 1934 and listen to us tell you abo...
Surfin' Bird
Our word on the Bird this week - "Surfin' Bird," that is! We have to start with two songs by The Rivingtons: "Papa Oom-Mow-Mow" & "The Bird's The Word," which laid the foundation for future ornithological madness. After seeing The...
Victoria!
Over the holidays, we were in Canada's Royal City - Victoria, BC - and Erik suggested we take on The Kinks song of the same name. She reigned for 63 years so her impact was large, on both Ray Davies and the city of the newly wed...
Fifth Annual Bo Diddley Awards!
It's time to celebrate the brightest and Bo Diddliest of 2025 on our Year-End roundup! Categories this year are ...Bo Diddliest Song From a Series EpisodeBo Diddliest Cymbal WorkBo Diddiest Song From a Them...