The Ledge (mp3)

This month’s second part of the monthly new release series is bookended by a pair of…well, let’s be honest…pretty bizarre cover albums. The first set contains tracks from the “new” duets album by Glen Campbell. How can it be new when he’s been dead since 2017? Well, in 2011 he released an album, Ghost On the Canvas (his 61st!), that featured his versions of songs by artists you would never think he’d even acknowledge. For this new one, Glen Campbell Duets: Ghost on the Canvas Sessions, the producers have brought in other artists to add their vocals. I just couldn’t stomach the idea of Sting singing a Paul Westerberg song, so I went with a couple of different tracks. How did Exene and John Doe from X end up on “Any Trouble”? And does anyone really believe that country star Eric Church has even heard of Guided By Voices? It just doesn’t seem possibe. As if that’s not crazy enough, the last main set of the show features a handful of tracks from a new tribute album released by Cleopatra Records. Punk Floyd – A Tribute To Pink Floyd features exactly what the title says – punk bands covering tunes […]

As we have done all throughout 2024, this month’s new release show is once again a two-part extravaganza. This thrills me, as that obviously means it’s a super great year so far, and I hope this is the case each and every month. This episode’s personal highlight is the first half hour or so of the broadcast, as it features “friends of the show” – artists that routinely send me their latest tunes. I cannot be happier than to share their music with all of you, and if you enjoy them as much as I do please head to their bandcamp pages and purchase them! There’s also some wonderful new power pop from The Reflectors, Kate Clover, and The Lemon Twigs (among others). There are veteran acts such as The Members, Woodentops, and surviving members of The Fall. There’s new “power folk” from Frank Turner. And, of course, a ton of great high energy rock and roll. For more info, including setlists, head to http://scotthudson.blogspot.com

I know the event has plenty of naysayers, but I absolutely love Record Store Day. I love the ritual of standing in line with other record nerds of all ages, and discussing exactly what treats we’re looking for. Even standing in line to pay, a task I generally dread at any retailer, is full of great chats. And then there’s the actual music. As somebody who loves vault material – demos, outtakes, live recordings, early mixes, etc. – it’s a day of treasures. There’s also a ton of records you never expected to see reissued, and there is always a number of 60s garage rock compilations. This year was no exception, and tonight you see the results of last Saturday’s early morning search. What did you guys find? Let me know what treats you picked up! For more info, including setlists, head to http://scotthudson.blogspot.com

Tomorrow (April 20) is a sort of unofficial holiday for those of us who are obsessed with music. It’s Record Store Day! To prime myself, and hopefully you fellow music nerds, tonight’s episode is devoted to songs about records, record stores, and the people like us who collect them! It’s another wide range of material, from classic beat sounds of the 60s (Tweeds) to late 70s power pop (The Mumbles, Milk ‘n’ Cookies) to self-reverential 80s alternative rockers (The Jesus & Mary Chain) and current garage and punk along with plenty of singer/songwriters of all eras! I’m hoping this fires you all up to get out there and find your wishlist tomorrow! What are y’all looking for? Let me know what treats you discover! For more info, including setlists, head to http://scotthudson.blogspot.com

Like all of the new release episodes, the second part of this month’s series features a wide range of styles – a little bit Americana, some power pop, a touch of psych, and plenty of good ol’ punk rock. There are bands whose careers go back almost 50 years (Cock Sparrer), along with quite a few who are spotlighting their debuts. From Omaha to Sydney, with a couple of stops in France and Switzerland, this is a well-rounded collection of the best new music. My hope for these new release shows, and honestly all of my broadcasts, is that you guys enjoy these tunes so much that you go out and purchase them. If you do, please let these artists and labels know where they heard them as it really helps shows like The Ledge continue to receive these great tracks! For more info, including setlists, head to http://scotthudson.blogspot.com

I was close to finishing off the tracklists for this month’s two part new release series when I received an unexpected text message from an old friend. Rich Show, the legendary leader of three classic South Dakota bands (No Direction, Flag With Hank, and Violet), along with a number of side projects and solo releases, sent me the files for his upcoming record, Age Appropriate. I could not have been happier with this shocking news, as he’s been a great friend for the over 40 years he’s been creating music. Obviously, I immediately sampled tracks from the record and inserted them into tonight’s show. But Rich is not the ony friend whose music is featured tonight. White Rose Motor Oil sent me the second cover of their “pre-owned songs” series. Rob Moss and Skin-Tight Skin have contnued their series of monthly singles. Numb Surprise, who contributed to last year’s “52 Weeks of Teenage Kicks”, provided two newly-recorded tracks. There’s also fantastic tracks from our friends at Big Stir Records (The Half Cubes, The Speed Of Sound), Rum Bar Records (Beebe Gallini, Pavid Vermin, The Shang Hi Los), and many others! My hope for these new release shows, and honestly all […]

During the process of putting together tonight’s look back at the first three months of 2024 I suddenly realized that just by looking through the January and February releases I already had more than enough tunes for a two hour show. That’s without even taking a look at a jampacked March! Obviously, that means I had to cut out quite a few fave songs for tonight’s show. My suggestion is for everyone to go back and listen to the new release episodes of the last three months to check out anything missed in tonight’s broadcast. It has been a great year for music, although I confess that I say this each and every year. But the fact is that those who complain that rock and roll was only great in their teen years are just plain wrong. That’s a “you” problem. There’s something for everyone tonight – ferocious punk, hookladen power pop, a blast or two back to roots rock. There’s brand new bands and grizzled veterans. Take a chance and give them a shot! For more info, including setlists, head to http://scotthudson.blogspot.com

This is another of those shows inspired primarily by what I’ve been listening to around the house. But it’s not just records this time, as the inspiration is coming from all sorts of media forms. The first main set, for instance, was inspired by the “Great Plains” section of Steven H. Gardner’s excellent Another Tuneless Racket: Punk and New Wave In the Seventies, Volume 5, The American Beat West. In late 70s Kansas City, there was a shortlived but extremely influential label called Titan Records. Gardner profiles the label, the principal owners, and the artists whose records were released in their short lifespan. Also represented in tonight’s show is music from the legendary label, Good Vibrations. No, it’s not Beach Boys-related. Good Vibrations was a Belfast record store and label that existed in the late 70s, and is most known for discovering and releasing the first Undertones single, “Teenage Kicks”. I suggest that all music fans head right away to Freevee and watch the wonderful film, Good Vibrations. If you love the tunes of that era, you’ll enjoy this film as much as I did The rest of the show consists of records I’ve thrown on my turntable the last […]

Ten inch records are the forgotten treasures of my library. They’re housed in a little side section of my entertainment center, and most are rarely touched. This is why a couple of weeks ago I decided to have a marathon listening session of those very records. These sort of releases generally form a handful of different types of material. They can be extended singles filled with previously unreleased bonus tracks (Guided By Voices, Jesus & Mary Chain). They can be rarities collections of b-sides or outtakes (The Clash, Bad Brains). Or they can be fully-fledged brand new releses (Geoff Palmer & Lucy Ellis, The Coolies). Plus, this theme allows me to celebrate the 11th year anniversary of the reunion of The Replacements! Songs For Slim came out on March 5, 2013, and this obviously led to their hitting the road a year later. Topping off their set, I also included the cover of “Route 66” that was the highlight of their 1987 “Alex Chilton” EP. Thanks also must go to various folks that had suggestions for tonight’s show, including the band White Rose Motor Oil, who contributed the tracks of the last set of tonight’s broadcast.

This week’s continuation of last week’s new release episode features, once again, no drop off in quality. There’s plenty of great new music from both relatively new artists and longtime veterans. I mean, who could have guessed that we’d still have vital tunes from two of America’s first punk bands, T.S.O.L. and Nervous Eaters? Let alone the return of The Bevis Frond, the latest from super-prolific songwriter Daniel Romano, and a plethora of Australian bands? Oh, and by the way, I’m looking for some suggestions for next week’s show. Earlier this week, I pulled out my collecton of ten-inch vinyl EP’s, and I’d like to do a broadcast based on those generally forgotten records. But I don’t have enough of these types of releases to fill a whole show, so please let me know some of your favorites of this format! For more info, including setlists, head to http://scotthudson.blogspot.com

Once again, the monthly new release show has to be expanded into a two-part extravaganza. 2023 is seriously shaping up to be a wonderful year for new music, as evidence not only by tonight’s show but all of our new release broadcasts so far this year. As always, we have some tracks by “friends” of the show (Rob Moss, Dave Strong, Robbie Quine, Friends of Cesar Romero and others), some longtime faves (The Hillbilly Moon Explosion, Laura Jane Grace, Keith Richards, etc.) and quite a few relative newcomers (Shadow Show, Mala Vista, Faz Waltz, and so much more). But this episode also includes a couple of tunes by a record that could quite possibly end up being my favorite record of the year, the self-titled debut album by The Sleeveens on Dirtnap Records. This is the dirty garage/punk record I’ve been crdaving for quite some time, and I hope you folks all love it as much as I do. And once again I have a late entry to the “Teenage Kicks” cover series, thanks to a fellow DJ who sent me a version set to be released in April by Canadian Music Hall of Famer Lee Aaron. The Undertones tune […]

As I’ve said before, I have a folder on one of my laptops that I keep around just to acccumulate cover tunes for episodes like this one. Once that folder is full, it’s time to broadcast! This version of that theme includes sets devoted to primarily new versions of songs by The Clash, The Undertones, The Rolling Stones, and MC5. There’s also one-offs of tracks by a wide variety of punk, pop, garage and power pop classics, including a rather surprising remake of a tune by the world’s most popular pop star! For more info, including setlists, head to http://scotthudson.blogspot.com

Anti-love songs is a rock and roll specialty. From the very beginning of the genre, writers with a poison pen have created a plethora of material that is not exactly Hallmark card material. Tonight’s show celebrates tracks of this time, highlighted by a number of more recent tracks of that sort. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t room for oldies, as there are garage rockers from the 60s, power pop from the 70s, and some good ol’ alternative rockers from the 80s. And, of course, it’s also an opportunity for an extended set from the greatest self-loathing rockers, The Replacements. I mean, come on, you can’t have a show of this sort without “Valentine”. For more info, including setlists, head to http://scotthudson.blogspot.com

This may be the second part of this month’s new release series, but there is no letdown in quality. Once again, there’s an intriguing mix of styles, ages, and even home locations. There are brand new acclaimed artists such as Liquid Mike and Sprints. There’s the returns of veterans such as Paul Collins Beat, J. Robbins, and Sham 69. There’s also the usual trademark of quality from our friends at Slovenly Records and Rum Bar Records. Most intriguing to me, is the story behind “Get the Experience” by The Ex-Bombers. Band members Keri Cousins and S.M. Nancy Walus are “rasslin'” fans, just as I am. Many of their late night drives after gigs have found them listening to legendary wrestling manager Jim Cornette’s podcast, Jim Cornette Experience. Hearing that he was looking for a new theme song, the band quickly put together “Get the Experience”, and just this week they were informed that the song is now the official theme song of the show! Thanks to the band for not only sending me a copy of the song to air, but including a little interview segment telling the story. And once again, even thought the “52 Weeks of Teenage Kicks” […]

Once again the music gods have bestowed so much great new tracks that the monthly new release show must be expanded into two episodes. That is a great sign for 2024, and especially so because not only is there quality and quantity, but there’s a great mix of classic artists and brand new acts. There’s 18 year old Owen Adamcik’s plan for a new EP every month this year. There are Ledge “friends” such as Rob Moss and Skin-Tight Skin’s monthly single and a new tune by local legends Thought Patrol. There’s the return of veterans The Smoggers and Rubber City Rebels. Plus surprisingly great new tracks by the liks of J. Mascis, Green Day, and Superchunk. And to kick things off is a late submission for last year’s “52 weeks of Teenage Kicks” series. Two weeks ago Thee Volatiles, “thee best punk rock band in all of Montclair NJ!” sent me their version, and I couldn’t be more thrilled! In fact, I will always accept new covers of the tune. So if you were considering it last year, please go ahead and do it and I’ll guarantee to open my next show with it! For setlists and other info, […]

The “odds and ends” series is an opportunity for me to mix all kinds of material. This week’s version mixes a bunch of new releases with a ton of material I’ve been playing around the house in recent weeks. There’s also a tribute to Mary Weiss, the leader of The Shangri-Las who passed away a few days ago. Otherwise, there’s classics by The Clash, X, The Birthday Party, and The Long Ryders, along with a new discovery of The Deviants, a great old band that for whatever reason I had never checked out. As for that little sound sample at the beginning of the show, I must thank my buddy Kevin for alerting me to a show called The Listener. I just can’t help but include oddly-placed discussions on The Replacements. For more info, including setlists, head to http://scotthudson.blogspot.com

1979 was an important year for rock and roll, but it was a bigger year for my musical journey. This was the year that the real obsession with buying records began. I had a job. I had a car. And I had put together a pretty awesome sound system in my bedroom. This was the first year I was buying new music AS it was coming out. I was no longer saving up for a record I read about in Creem Magazine. I was at the record store each and every week. In fact, this was the year I first started working at a record store, and you know I spent more money on music than I actually made at the store. So tonight’s celebration of the UK sounds of that year is truly a trip back in time. With a handful of exceptions, this was indeed a good portion of my playlist back then. London Calling. A Different Kind of Tension. Setting Sons. Cool For Cats. Labour of Lust. The list goes on and on of music I forced friends to endure whether they liked them or not. For more info, including setlists, head to http://scotthudson.blogspot.com

Two weeks ago, I counted down my 40 favorite records of 2023. This week’s broadcast is a showcase for 35 other records that just barely missed the cut. There’s no letdown of quality, though, as each and every one of these picks could have easily made my main list. But combining the two shows, you now have my official list of the 75 best albums of the year. Think of these shows as a master shopping list, as I’m sure that any fan of punk, indie, power pop, and garage rock can find a record or five worth owning from tonight’s show. For more info, including setlists, head to http://scotthudson.blogspot.com

It may be a new year, but there’s no change to the first episode of each and every month. Once again, I present to you over two hours of brand new music. Ok, there are a handful of tracks that actually came out a few months ago, but these are new discoveries for me. So in my convoluted set of self-created rules, they’re still new releases to me. But as always, this show features a great mix of punk, garage, indie rock, and power pop. There’s music from all over the world, and both brand new and veteran acts. Anybody with a hunger for new music should be able to find their own highlights. For more info, including setlists, head to http://scotthudson.blogspot.com

Choosing my favorite records of the year is always a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it’s great fun for a music nerd like me to revisit the hundreds of releases I’ve checked out the last twelve months. But it’s also frustrating trying to thin down those picks into a list that truly represents the past year. Many records that initially seemed a lock are suddenly eclipsed by new records that I simply can’t ignore. Other albums that I had prematurely set aside have revealed themselves to be chock full of fabulous tunes that I can’t imagine living without. Overall, this is another great year for music. I’ll never understand the mindset of people, especially those around my age, that complain how there’s no great bands or records these days. Sure, the pop charts are primarily filled with garbage, and one does have to spend more time than ever finding new artists. But the search has always been a great part of the fun of being a collector, and my main reason I’ve now put together 600 episodes of this show is to share my findings with others. I’m always thrilled when I hear that someone has bought a record […]