The Ledge #578: Covers
Every few months, I like to put together an all-covers edition of the show. As I’ve stated before, I have a folder all set up to toss in whatever tracks I want to later air. This edition came a little bit sooner than usual due to a couple of fabulous tribute records. The first release I wanted to highlight is the brand new An International Tribute To The Muffs, which features 26 fabulous covers of Kim Shattuck tunes. Proceeds from this release goes to the Team Shattuck Foundation of Kim´s Sister, Kristen Shattuck. The other great tribute record is Drunk Dial Fakes, Vol. 2. This ingenious set features “real” bands covering songs that were written for fictional TV and film bands. How can you not love covers from The Rutles, CHiPs, and That Thing You Do? As for the “52 Weeks of Teenage Kicks”, I’ve got a twofer for you this week. I recently discovered a couple of fabulous Undertones tribute records, and Teenage Hits – A Tribute To The Undertones features two wonderful remakes. And like always, I must again plead with y’all for more versions of “Teenage Kicks”. If you are a musician, or have any contact with artists that could record their own take […]
The Ledge #551: 1993
I have to admit that tonight’s show made me feel like an old man. Sure, I’ve done shows devoted to individual years on a regular basis, but I’ve fully understood that the songs featured on a broadcast like last week’s 1978 tribute were nostalgic looks at the past. But tonight’s show featuring (almost) nothing but tunes from 1993 didn’t feel like a nostalgia trip. These songs don’t feel like they are 30 years old. I swear they were released just a few years ago. Maybe it’s because I still have such a connection to records like Archers of Loaf’s Icky Mettle. Or the fact that Bikini Kill’s “Rebel Girl” still packs the same punch it did back when it was released. Plus, I’ve obviously spent plenty of time with all of the solo albums released by former members of The Replacements. Even this week’s second edition of my “52 Weeks of Teenage Kicks” dates back to 1993, and in a weird sort of twist was the reason I came up with this idea. As I said last week, I had earlier realized that I owned quite a few versions of the song. But I had read on Facebook that a great […]
The Ledge #529: Summer Songs
We may be entering the last month of the summer, but it’s never too late to put together a show of songs about the hottest months of the year. Rock and roll has always had a fondness for the sun, and everything else that goes with the season. So tonight you get nothing but songs about not only the season, but girls, bikes, surfing, and the beach. It’s also almost a complete set of recently released material. The vast majority of these songs have been put out in the last six months, although there’s always room for some old tracks that have caught my attention. This is why there’s some great oldies by The Hold Steady, The Scientists, The Muffs, and M.I.A. And you really can’t have a summer show without the greatness of 50’s visen (and South Dakota raised) Mamie Van Doren! By the way, if you haven’t seen the cult classic, Untamed Youth, you should rent it tonight! 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 […]
The Ledge #528: New Replacements & Other Treats
A few weeks ago, fans of The Replacements noticed that a new live record was starting to appear on vinyl distribution lists. Most at first assumed this was a bootleg, but it turns out tht the Live At Riot Fest Toronto was in fact a legitimate live album. Or sort of, as many rumors starting floating around. Tommy Stinson had reportedly made a deal with a distributor to release it, but some have said that Paul Westerberg had actually vetoed the deal. In a series of DM’s with the distributor, it was verified that Stinson had set up the deal to put it out but there was no word on the Westerberg rumor. It’s also the first in a series of three live releases, as the other two Riot Fest shows in Chicago and Denver are currently being pressed. The record itself is quite great. The source is a soundboard recording, although it’s not a remixed multi-track. Tonight’s show features a few songs from this record, along with a number of other albums that have been played in the Hudson household these last few weeks. I’ve also included a handful of songs that Frank Turner performed at Total Drag on July 12 […]
The Ledge #518: Record Store Day
I have a few friends who are no fans of Record Store Day, but I love it. Yes, everyday is Record Store Day for me, but it is one of the few days of the year that I’m a social butterfly. I absolutely love the bonding of music geeks in the lines outside stores, and over the years I’ve actually made some friendships out of these same people who brave the elements on this day. We actually kind of look out for each other. If one of us is looking for something quite rare, it’s not unusual for another one of us to grab it for that person. I had that happen just this last week when I arrived a few minutes later than usual, but really needed to get a copy of a certain release. For me, this year’s version of the holiday may have been the best ever. I’ve never had a list so long of titles that I “needed”. Plus, my name is on one of them (the Jay Bennett two-record set that included Gorman Bechard’s “Where Is Jay Bennett” on DVD). Besides the obligatory Replacements live album, guitarist Bob Stinson saw the release of a record […]
Live Ledge #396: RIP Kim Shattuck
When news came out this past Wednesday that Kim Shattuck had passed away after a two year battle with ALS it was immediately clear that the planned “new release” episode for this week needed to be postponed. Kim Shattuck has always been one of my favorites. She had the greatest scream in all of rock and roll, whether it was with The Pandoras, The Muffs, The Beards, or The Coolies. From all accounts she was also one of the good people in rock and roll. A badass for sure, but the nicest badass you could find. Tonight’s show celebrates her entire career, from early recordings as bassist in The Pandoras up to a track from a brand new Muffs album, No Holiday, that Omnivore is releasing in two weeks. There’s also segments dedicated to her work in The Beards and The Coolies, collaborations with other artists, covers of her favorites that she recorded, and a few Muffs songs covered by other artists. After listening, please go purchase those tracks you enjoy!
Live Ledge #219: Thank You Friends
A post-Thanksgiving episode celebrating just a few of the artists I’m thankful to have in my life.
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 #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 #182: 1995
As the Beatles song goes, “it was 20 years ago” all of these songs were released.
Live Ledge #98: New Finds
It’s that time of the month again! More new releases and blog finds!
Live Ledge #82: Green Day
Ash from The Big Brother Gossip Show joins Scott tonight to discuss the merits of the new Green Day album, Uno.
