clash

The Ledge #604: Odds & Ends Again

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…

The Ledge #603: 1979 UK

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 be…

The Ledge #585: Hudson Compound Playlist

The Ledge #585: Hudson Compound Playlist

This week’s show is another of those broadcasts where I simply air some of the records I’ve been playing around the house the last few weeks. There’s no real format outside of that, but you do get to enjoy almost 60 years of fabulous…

The Ledge #584: Birthday Week!

The Ledge #584: Birthday Week!

When I put together each and every episode of The Ledge, I try really hard not to repeat myself too much. If I play a new single one week, the next I’ll more than likely air a b-side or album track. Certain songs do end up appearing in multiple shows, but more than likely due to whatever themes I’ve selected. That fact has always been in the back of my mind whenever I put on birthday shows. Obviously, during my birthday week I want a show of nothing but my favorite songs of all time, but at the same time I don’t want to repeat that same show each and every year. But it dawned on me earlier today that repeating myself once a year is no big deal! Who remembers what I aired a year ago? Plus, honestly, while I have not doublechecked, I’m sure this year’s birthday celebration of my favorite songs is quite unlike previous editions. My tastes are ever-evolving. Some artists have emerged as new favorites. Others have maybe dropped down a peg or two. Plus, I’ll admit to purposely selecting different tunes by perennial favorites. Let’s be real. I can play almost any song by […]

The Ledge #556: More Miscellany

The Ledge #556: More Miscellany

This week’s show is once again a mix of old and new. There’s quite a few brand new releases highlighted, accompanied by quite a few records that I’ve found myself playing in my free time.  Which leads me to a question to my lovely listeners. For as long as I’ve done the show, the presence of “themes” has been a constant. Honestly, that’s how my brain works best for picking music. It gives me a reason to air a tune. Even the monthly new release episode is basically a theme that’s just like shows based on certain years or terms. Lately, I have sort of abandoned the theme and played these kinds of old/new mixes. Part of this is that due to the fact that I now report a top ten playlist every week to the Radio Indie Alliance. I know I can submit any ten tracks I play but I’ve been paying even more attention to new music than usual. So this is what I want to find out from you guys. Do you like these freeform type of broadcasts or should I revert back to having a weekly theme? The themes aren’t going away entirely, no matter what […]

The Ledge #550: 1978

The Ledge #550: 1978

Over the last couple of weeks, I’ve been hinting that I’ll be starting 2023 with a big announcement. Well, tonight’s the night!In my eyes, “Teenage Kicks” is a perfect pop song; the greatest punk-inspired single of all time. Two minutes and 27 seconds of rock and roll at its finest. The sentiments are the same youthful expressions of the original rock and roll explosion of the 1950s. Instead of Little Richard or Jerry Lee Lewis boogie woogie piano, it’s buzzsaw guitars that accompany Undertones vocalist Fergal Sharkey’s desire for that “girl in the neighborhood” that he wishes “was mine she looks so good”. It’s the musical template later utilized by Husker Du, Pixies, Green Day, and hundreds of other pop-punkers for decades to come (for better or worse).Since I love the song so much, I have found myself collecting all kinds of versions over the years. In fact, a little glance at my master iTunes library a few months ago showed that I owned over 30 covers of this tune. Just two weeks ago, I discovered that a Minneapolis band I loved in the 90s had released a remake as a now rare b-side (more on that next week). With […]

The Ledge #535: God Save The Queen

The Ledge #535: God Save The Queen

Once I heard the news of Queen Elizabeth’s death on Thursday morning, I knew I had to dump my planned broadcast for this week. Surely I could put together a show that both celebrates and criticizes not only the monarchy but the entire country. For me, the quintessential British rock band is The Kinks. There may be better bands from that country (name them!) but nobody captures that country like the writings of Ray Davies. Same with The Jam and The Clash a decade later, or Billy Bragg, The Smiths, Robyn Hitchcock, and mny others a decade after that. Pairing a few highlights of those artists with some samplings of the great British punk movement of the late 70s, and you have two hours of fantastic British tributes…even if a couple of the artists are actually American.  I would love it if every listener bought at least one record I played on either of these shows. These great artists deserve to be compensated for their hard work, and every purchase surely helps not only pay their bills but fund their next set of wonderful songs. And if you buy these records directly from the artist or label, please let them […]

The Ledge #508: 1977

The Ledge #508: 1977

“No Elvis, Beatles, or Rolling Stones!”

Sure, it was a pose. The Clash may have sung those lyrics, but they were actually true students in the history of rock and roll. But the British punk scene of 1977 was certainly a time when the wa…

The Ledge #417: Live Albums, Vol. 1

The Ledge #417: Live Albums, Vol. 1

A few days ago I started a thread on my Facebook page asking for favorite live albums. The response I received was amazing, as close to 150 people responded with a wide range of suggestions. Obviously the question was raised in order to put together a Ledge episode, and the response was so overwhelming that tonight’s show is the first of two dedicated to the topic. This week’s broadcast consists of the choices I would have picked anyway but I still give credit to those who are so likeminded. It’s a collection of legendary classic recordings (Jerry Lee Lewis, Rolling Stones, Sam Cooke, etc.), recordings that were initially bootlegged before getting an official release (Iggy & The Stooges, Elvis Costello, The Beatles, The Replacements), and quite a few others that have had a place in my collection for decades. Part two, which will be broadcast in two weeks, will focus more on material that others have picked. Some of them are records I’ve forgotten about, others come from my youth, but quite a few are releases you probably would never expect to hear on The Ledge. And, of course, I have to thank everybody for their picks. It’s been a […]

The Ledge #410: UK Punk 1980

The Ledge #410: UK Punk 1980

After quite a few shows devoted to 1979 in the last 12 months, it’s predictable that this new year will see a similar move with music from 1980. Tonight’s is the first of such a show and it’s devoted to the UK punk scene. It’s i…

Live Ledge #401: UK Punk Oct – Dec 1979 Plus More

Live Ledge #401: UK Punk Oct – Dec 1979 Plus More

Through the course 2019 there has been a series of shows devoted to looking back at the great music released 40 years ago. Tonight’s latest in that series documents the punk singles and albums released in the UK from October to December of that year. These tracks include veteran acts such as The Stranglers, The Damned, and others, along with early releases by The Vapors, Joy Division, Killing Joke and others. But the centerpiece of this anniversary special celebrates one of the greatest albums of all time. December 14, 1979 saw the release of The Clash’s third album, London Calling. There’s no denying it’s greatness from beginning to end. In fact, it’s my second favorite record of all time! Besides these fabulous UK tunes, the last half hour of the show jumps over the border to some 1979 highlights from Ireland, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, and France. Ok, maybe one of these selections isn’t technically from 1979 but I’ll take any opportunity to play “Teenage Kicks”. Tonight may end our look at the 1979 UK punk scene, but it’s not the end of our series of shows devoted to that great year. Next week’s show will feature tunes from all over […]

Live Ledge #365: British Punk January – May 1979

Live Ledge #365: British Punk January – May 1979

A look at British punk rock singles released in the first half of 1979.

LIve Ledge #327: More Songs From 1978

The second of many shows dedicated to that magical year of 1978.

Live Ledge #214: 1980

Live Ledge #214: 1980

Live Ledge goes back to 1980 for two hours of punk, post-punk, and every other form of alt-rock from that year!

Live Ledge #213: Number Ten

Live Ledge #213: Number Ten

Continuing the series of shows devoted to track numbers, tonight’s show is nothing but the tenth tune off favorite old and new releases.

Live Ledge #210: By The Numbers, Part 1

Live Ledge #210: By The Numbers, Part 1

To celebrate a birthday, Hudson starts a two-part series where he plays one song from every year he’s lived.

Live Ledge #208: Number Eight

Live Ledge #208: Number Eight

Nothing but track eight’s to commemorate that we still have a couple days left in the eighth month of the year.

Live Ledge #201: Track Six

Live Ledge #201: Track Six

To celebrate the sixth month of the year, tonight’s show is nothing but the sixth tracks of fantastic albums.

Live Ledge #198: Number 5

Live Ledge #198: Number 5

Since we’re in the fifth month of the year, why not a show dedicated to nothing but track five of some fantastic albums?

Live Ledge #194: Track 4

Live Ledge #194: Track 4

A simple premise – everything played tonight is the fourth track of the album they appeared on!

Live Ledge #190: Three In a Row

Live Ledge #190: Three In a Row

Nothing but classic albums with three classic songs in a row.

Live Ledge #187: Freedom

Live Ledge #187: Freedom

Nothing but songs about freedom and employment, and freedom from employment!

Live Ledge #162: Tommy Ramone

Live Ledge #162: Tommy Ramone

The death of Ramones drummer Tommy Ramone inspires this tribute to the legendary band and musician.

Live Ledge #161: 4th of July

Live Ledge #161: 4th of July

A tribute to the holiday, with songs about the day and America, along with tributes to two famous concerts from this day.

Live Ledge #160: Shuffle

Live Ledge #160: Shuffle

Scott let iTunes do all the work tonight in selecting the playlist.

Live Ledge #157: Threesomes

Live Ledge #157: Threesomes

In order to prove the theory that to be a great band you have to have a run of three classic albums, tonight’s show is nothing but trios of greatness!

Live Ledge #152: Fantasy Festival (Pt. 1)

Live Ledge #152: Fantasy Festival (Pt. 1)

In response to the horrors of Coachella, Hudson curates his own personal music festival.

Live Ledge #151: Record Company Weasels

Live Ledge #151: Record Company Weasels

An entire show dedicated to those evil folks who control the record industry.

Live Ledge #142: 1979

Live Ledge #142: 1979

A trip down memory lane – nothing but tunes from that magical year of 1979.

Live Ledge #141: Odds And Sods

Live Ledge #141: Odds And Sods

There’s no real theme tonight. Just a bunch of killer songs and some babbling.

Live Ledge #137: Alphabet Rock

Live Ledge #137: Alphabet Rock

An alphabetical trip through some of Hudson’s favorite bands.

Live Ledge #128: What

Live Ledge #128: What

It’s simple – nothing but songs that include the word “what”.

Live Ledge #127: Stormy New Releases

Live Ledge #127: Stormy New Releases

Surrounded by storms accurately forecast by Canadian Frankie McDonald, Hudson hosts two hours of new releases and blog finds.

Live Ledge #117: Walking Alphabet

Live Ledge #117: Walking Alphabet

Most of tonight’s show is a soundtrack of sorts to Hudson’s “Walking Rock Alphabet”.

Live Ledge #116: Replacements Reunion

An almost all-interview show, with Gorman Bechard chatting about the Replacements reunion, and members of Cursive and Teenage Bottlerocket promoting upcoming Sioux Falls appearances.

Live Ledge #115: New Finds

Live Ledge #115: New Finds

Another new month, another selection of new releases and blog finds.

Live Ledge #113: Covers

Live Ledge #113: Covers

It’s been awhile since an all-covers show, so celebrate the holiday weekend with almost 2 1/2 hours of remade tunes!

Rural Ledge-ucation #97: More 1982

Rural Ledge-ucation #97: More 1982

Another carry-over from Friday’s Live Ledge – more tracks from the strangeness that was 1982!

Live Ledge #106: New Finds

Live Ledge #106: New Finds

It’s another episode of new releases and blog finds, along with a commemoration of the 19th anniversary of Kurt Cobain’s death.

Live Ledge #98: New Finds

It’s that time of the month again! More new releases and blog finds!

Live Ledge #89: Black Friday Sucks!

Two hours of songs against the travesty of Black Friday, and the cretins who make it out to shop when they should still be sleeping.

Live Ledge #84: Anniversaries

This week marked plenty of rock ‘n’ roll anniversaries, both good and bad. We plow through them all.

Live Ledge #80: Life Story (Pt. 1)

With a big day coming up this week, host Scott Hudson has selected one song per year that he has been alive. Sunday’s Rural Ledge-ucation will conclude the series.

Live Ledge #78: New Finds

Tonight’s show features a ton of new and upcoming releases, along with quite a few rare finds.

Rural Ledge-ucation #66: Happy Birthday Joe Strummer!

This Tuesday would have been Joe Strummer’s 60th birthday. Today’s show features his post-Clash career in celebration.

Live Ledge #74: London’s Burning!

A show dedicated to our fine comrades across the pond, along with a celebration of one of their prime exports, Sir Michael Phillip “Mick” Jagger!

Live Ledge #68: More 1977

Last week’s ’77 theme went so well it just had to be repeated!

Live Ledge #67: 1977

Is 1977 the greatest year in rock ‘n’ roll? Check out this show and judge for yourself.

Live Ledge #63: Gorman Bechard

Author/director Gorman Bechard appears to talk about his upcoming Grant Hart documentary, along with updates on Color Me Obsessed and his Archers of Loaf concert movie.

Live Ledge #54: Get Well Slim!

A busy show – besides a tribute to former MC5 bassist Michael Davis there’s lots of time devoted to wishing former Replacements guitarist Slim Dunlap a speedy recovery.

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