paul collins

The Ledge #606: New Releases Pt. 2

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 Scott 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” series […]

The Ledge #543: Power Pop, Pt. 1 (The Past)

The Ledge #543: Power Pop, Pt. 1 (The Past)

On a fairly regular basis I’m asked what type of music I most enjoy. It’s a pretty tough question to answer, to be honest. The standard answer I hear in return is “I love all kinds of music”, which to me is code for “I only like what’s popular”. Sorry, but having a playlist on Spotify that includes both Drake, Meghan Trainor, and Luke Bryan isn’t the proof of versatility most of these poeple believe it is. So what is the genre or sub-genre that is closest to my heart? “Punk” is a little too confining, and honestly there is a lot of shitty music under that moniker. “Alternative” doesn’t mean the same today as it did 30 years ago since maintstream rock radio has co-opted it. “Garage rock” is indeed getting closer but still doesn’t feel right. I think deep in my heart the term power pop, or at least my version of the term, best describes my music taste. I was, after all, born the day The Beatles recorded their first single, and the first two rock and roll albums I owned just out of my toddler phase was the first Monkees record and the A Hard Day’s Night soundtrack.  My […]

Live Ledge #184: Lydia Loveless

Live Ledge #184: Lydia Loveless

Director Gorman Bechard and singer/songwriter Lydia Loveless discuss the upcoming Who Is Lydia Loveless? documentary.

Live Ledge #170: New Releases

Live Ledge #170: New Releases

The beginning of the month means it’s a show of nothing but new music.

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.

Rural Ledge-ucation #48: Alex Chilton

We commemorate the 2nd anniversary of the death of Alex Chilton with a collection of covers and rarities.

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