Phil Alvin died – twice – while on tour in Spain. Complications from an abscessed tooth put him in a hospital in Valencia, where he flatlined and had to be shocked back to life two times. In typical rock n’ roll fashion, when he finally woke up – he felt perfectly fine. Phil’s band, The Blasters, have their first new record in seven years out called Fun on a Saturday Night. We talk life, death, and the stories behind the songs on the new record – including “Breath of My Love,” about a deranged lover with a knife in her hand. We also go back to the origins of the band, and some advice he got from R&B legend Big Joe Turner.
Tag Archives: podcast
#166 – Bluey of Incognito – Surreal
The British band Incognito has just released their 15th album, Surreal – a mix old school soul, funk, and jazz, with just enough modern-day elements to keep you guessing. Featuring four of the biggest and brightest vocalists from the UK, and fueled by the core band, led by guitarist Bluey Maunick – Incognito recalls a time when R&B bands played with live musicians, whipping their audience into a frenzy
#165 – Harry Shearer – Spinal Tap, The Simpsons & Can’t Take a Hint
Harry Shearer stormed his way into rock n’ roll infamy as bassist Derek Smalls in the rockumentary This is Spinal Tap. He’s also been a recurring voice on the longest-running animated series, The Simpsons, hosted the weekly-syndicated radio program, Le Show, and starred in such films as The Mighty Wind. His recordings have been twice nominated for Grammys for 2007’s Songs of the Pointed and the Pointless, and 2008’s Songs of the Bushmen. Now, Shearer has put together Can’t Take a Hint, an all-star collaboration, featuring Dr. John, Glee’s Jane Lynch, members of Fountains of Wayne, and wife Judith Owen. We talk the inspiration behind songs like “Joe the Plumber,” and “Celebrity Booze Endorser,” as well as touch on the humble beginnings of the legendary Spinal Tap.
Icon Fetch: Actor / Comedian / Musician / Director / Satirist / Radio Show Host – Harry Shearer – he is the voice of several key characters on the Simpsons (including Ned Flanders, Mr. Burns, Principal Skinner ), he’s hosted a long-running radio program – Le Show on NPR, and directed the Hurricane Katrina documentary, The Big Uneasy – but music fans know him probably best as Derek Smalls, the bushy mustached bassist for heavy metal pioneers, Spinal Tap. Shearer has released several albums that have been nominated for Grammys – his latest is Can’t Take a Hint It’s our pleasure to welcome Harry Shearer – how are you Harry? Continue reading #165 – Harry Shearer – Spinal Tap, The Simpsons & Can’t Take a Hint
#164 – Edgar Winter – Frankenstein and Beyond
Edgar Winter wrote one of the greatest instrumentals in all of rock in “Frankenstein.” He’s back out on the road as part of the Classic Rock n’ Blues Tour, which also features his brother, Johnny Winter, along with Rick Derringer, Leslie West of Mountain, and Kim Simmonds of Savoy Brown. Icon Fetch sits down with the multi-talented younger brother to find out why he never picked up the guitar (but did pick up just about everything else). He also tells us the great story behind “Frankenstein.”
#163 – Robert Rodriguez – Revolver: How the Beatles Reimagined Rock n’ Roll
Beatles’ expert Robert Rodriguez’s latest book, Revolver: How the Beatles Reimagined Rock n’ Roll, delves into the classic album, which always seems to play second fiddle to the record that followed it, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. In addition to covering the writing and recording process, he delves into the band’s decision to stop touring, and the controversy surrounding John Lennon’s claim that the Beatles were “more popular than Jesus” – two items that lessened the album’s impact at the time. He debunks several myths surrounding the Revolver, and uncovers some interesting tidbits – including how Paul McCartney actually quit the band during the recording of “She Said, She Said.”
#162 – Joe Deninzon of Stratospheerius – The Next World
Joe Deninzon has been called the Jimi Hendrix of the electric violin, and is the world’s expert on alternative violin technique. He’s just released a book through Mel Bay called Plugging In – A Guide to Gear and New Techniques for the 21st Century Violinist. Joe’s band Stratospheerius also has a new record out – their first in five years called The Next World. A blend of progressive rock, metal, jazz, funk, and maybe even the kitchen sink thrown in for good measure.
#161 – Omar & the Howlers – I’m Gone
Omar Dykes is celebrating 50 years in the music business with the release of a brand new album, his first with his band, the Howlers in eight years, I’m Gone. We talk with the blues survivor about hooking back up with many of the musicians that’ve played with him over the years, his unique recording technique (no rehearsing allowed!), and the release of his first-ever career retrospective, Omar & the Howlers Essential Collection. He also tells a great story about sneaking “across the tracks” to hear the music of the blues.
#160 – Sam Phillips – Martinis & Bikinis Deluxe Edition
Sam Phillips has released eight critically-acclaimed studio records, she’s scored the music for the Gilmore Girls TV series, and she acted alongside Bruce Willis in Die Hard With a Vengeance. But, of all the great work she’s put out, many people continue to gravitate toward her 1994 album Martinis & Bikinis, which earned a Grammy nomination for Best Female Rock Performance. Produced by then-husband T-Bone Burnett, the album is a mix of gritty guitars, muscled drums, and Beatle-soaked harmonies.
Although not a commercial smash, it regularly makes critics’ “Best of the Nineties” lists. Omnivore Records has just reissued the classic album, making the record even better with the inclusion of four bonus tracks, including a newly recorded version of her song “Strawberry Road.” Icon Fetch sits down with Phillips, who gives us the background on that great album. She also talks about the circumstances that led to her role in Die Hard. She also talks her fan subscription series and upcoming projects
#159 – Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull – Thick as a Brick 2
Ian Anderson is one of the most-recognizable figures in rock. For over 40 years, the wild-eyed flautist has led Jethro Tull through a string of classic albums, including Aqualung, Songs From the Wood, and Thick as a Brick. Anderson’s latest project is a sequel to that last album, Thick as a Brick 2, in which he entertains several possibilities of what happened to main character Gerald Bostock (who was only eight years old in the original album).
For the project, Anderson has returned to the progressive rock stylings which were so much a part of the original release. We also talk his band’s most-famous album, Aqualung, and the problems they had in the studio.
#158 – Todd Park Mohr of Big Head Todd & Chan Kinchla of Blues Traveler – Last Summer on Earth Tour
The Last Summer on Earth tour, featuring four of the best bands to emerge from the Nineties, is coming to a city near you. Featuring Barenaked Ladies, Blues Traveler, Big Head Todd & the Monsters, and Cracker, the tour is sure to be a highlight of the summer concert series. Icon Fetch talks with Chan Kinchla, guitarist for Blues Traveler, about the bands on the tour, the release of their brand new album, Suzie Cracks the Whip, and how they keep things fresh after spending 25 years together. We also chat again with Todd Park Mohr of Big Head Todd. In addition to talking up the new tour, he gives us the scoop on the Ride Festival, a concert they’re headlining in Colorado in August, and details on two new albums from Big Head Todd.