The Ledge (mp3)

I always love when tracks show up just hours before the show, and that’s what happened with this all-covers episode. As I’ve said many times before, I have a folder on my laptop where I toss in new cover tunes whenever I come across them. When the folder is full, that’s when it’s time for a show. That’s exactly what happened, this time around. With this week’s release of the new album by The Damned where they remake tracks that the recently deceased Brian James loved, I saw the following post on Instagram: “Fret Rattles are excited to announce the release of our third full-length studio LP, titled “As the World Falls Apart.” It features thirteen tracks and comes in at the furious pace of 36 minutes. The LP was recorded in 2024 and 2025 at Flowers Studio (Minneapolis, MN) and Ecstattic Studio (St. Paul, MN) by our long-time producer Ali Jaafar.” A tracklist accompanied the post that indicated the new album was going to include two cover tunes, so I immediately sent a DM to requst their inclusion in tonight’s broadcast. They agreed, and in the early afternoon I received an email that included their explosive cover of “What […]

700 episodes of The Ledge? Who would have ever believed that to be possible? I certainly didn’t when I started this show way back in 2010. Podcasts were relatively new at this point, and I just assumed it would be a fun lark that would fizzle out within a few months. Even the format of the show was different back then. For the most part, I invited friends to pick out a dozen or so of their favorite songs, and we’d talk about them in between playing them. Everything changed when I linked up with RealPunkRadio. Suddenly this was a real radio show. Suddenly I had some labels and artists sending me music. These shows were primarily centered around elaborate themes, as that’s the way my mind thinks. There just HAS to be a reason to air a song. The themes still exist all these years later, but the concepts are much looser. Every month there’s a new release episode or two. I may celebrate certain years, or have all-covers broadcasts. But rarely do I go much deeper than that. Even tonight’s celebration isn’t exactly a deep thought concept. I figured pulling together over two hours of “track 7’s” would […]

Every now and then, I put together shows that are all about what I’ve been listening to in my humble abode. This seems like a good time for another of these types of broadcasts. So what you have tonight is some great faves from the likes of The Damned, The Cramps, Eater, The Saints, The Undertones, and so much more. I have a set devoted to two tracks from the new Wreckless Eric album, accompanied by the original 1985 versions under the name Captains of Industry. There’s also a couple of live Replacements tracks from the new Let It Be box set. But there are also some new tracks aired tonight. Earlier this week, Brad Marino sent me his new single, “Murder and Violence”. Surely I can’t wait almost a full month to give that some airplay, right? Same with the new tune by The New Brutarians, “Tonight’s Your Night (Tonight)”, which was emailed to me just hours before the show went to air. There’s also new tunes from Kurt Baker, The Cynz, The Spackles, Vista Blue, Phil Cook & The Fall Dogs, and Faz Waltz.  What tunes did you enjoy the most this week? For more info, including setlists, […]

It’s a new year, and we’re starting off with a kick ass set of brand new music. It may be the slow time for new releases, but there’s still a ton of great rock and roll coming out each and every day. There’s new music from our friends Numb Surprise, some great releases on Big Stir and Rum Bar Records, and a couple of fabulous split-band records. Plus, CTMF covers two fabulous songs by The Saints, and we have the return of Ultrabomb!!! For more info, including setlists, head to http://scotthudson.blogspot.com

Sometime between Thanksgiving and Christmas, I pull out all of my records that I’ve acquired over the past twelve months, along with my giant hard drive of files, and I put together a list of the 40 best albums of the year (along with another list of reissues). Besides a box set of homemade CD’s I hand to my friends, the results of this endeavor is my year end retrospective show. The following list (and broadcast) are my picks for the 40 greatest albums of the year. Like I say every year, this has been a fabulous year for music. There’s some wonderful sounds that range from punchy power pop to garage rock to more experimental sounds to classic singer/songwriter fare. There’s something here for everyone! Personally, it’s been an odd year, full of highs and lows. I became a grandfather, but also suffered a couple of health issues. If you’ve listened to this show, you’re probably aware of all of this. But thanks to not only the bands that contribute tracks to the show, but each and every one of you that listen to The Ledge! I guarantee you that 2026 will be an even greater year for the […]

It’s that time of year again! Yes, it’s the annual Ledge Christmas episode, and I’m so happy that this year it’s (almost) all brand new material! Even better, there’s a large contingent of friends who have supplied me with proper tunes for this broadcast. In fact, wiht the likes of Numb Surprise, White Rose Motor Oil, Geoff Palmer, Vista Blue, and close to two full sets of Rum Bar artists it’s almost like a typical New Release episode. No, this is not your mother’s holiday show…unless mommy is a really cool rocker! But instead of that insipid McCartney or Wham nonsense, you’ve got over two hours of quality tracks for ths festive season! What’s your fave track this Christmas? For more info, including setlists, head to http://scotthudson.blogspot.com

I wanted to call this the final new release episode of 2025, but that’s technically not true as next week’s holiday extravaganza will feature almost all new tracks. But it’s the last “real” episode of this sort, and it’s as great as any show of this type we’ve put together all year. There’s a ton of veteran acts featured this week – The Wedding Present, Daniel Romano, Superchunk, Juliana Hatfield, and Cheap Trick. There’s also Fast Kids, the new side project by The Mystery Light frontman Mike Brandon, and the second album by Plosivs, one of many John Reis projects. Of course, I can’t forget the latest projects involving Wild Billy Childish – is own Thee Headcoats and the first album since 1999 by Thee Headcoatees! Of course, there’s also a Rum Bar Records segment that highights live material from The Dogs, a new supergroup called Speedtwinn, and the latest single by Girl with a Hawk. Plus, lots of the power pop and garage rock that are staples of The Ledge! For more info, including setlists, head to http://scotthudson.blogspot.com

Here we are in the final month of the year, and we are still able to do a multi-episode new release series. Decades ago, this would have been impossible. With the exception of a title or two, all superstar releases were out by Thanksgiving (not that this fact would effect The Ledge). Not only did the physical media have to be prepared weeks or months in advance, but all publicity (press, videos, TV) had to be scheduled to coincde with the date the material was coming out. Obviously, non-superstar releases always had difficulties even getting noticed back then, and this fact was amplified in the run-up to the holiday season. If they were released without a label putting up comparable publicty dollars, they were usually buried. More often than not, records of this sort were just postponed until the new year. Because of all that, the record companies basically took December off. It was the month of schmozzing (and I’m sure quite a “pile” of substances). The stores had their stock, radio stations were certainly not adding many new songs during this period, and record stores were just praying that they could restock what they sold. Yes, it was a […]

I have been a huge fan of Steven H. Gardiner’s Another Tuneless Racket series of books documenting the punk and new wave scenes of the 70s. Just a few weeks ago I finished the most recent volume which documents the eastern half of our country. I was especially taken by the marathon length chapter detailing everything that happened in Boston during this time, and I spent hours devouring a ton of bands I’d never heard before. Tonight’s show compiles over two hours of bands covered in this section (with the exception of The Modern Lovers and The Real Kids, who were discussed in volume one). There are bands barely remembered from this time next to groups that are revered to this day. We start with the monumental recording Jonathan Richman made at the beginning of the decade with his band The Modern Lovers, and we conclude with Mission of Burma, a revolutionary band that carried on into the 80s.   What’s your favorite Boston band from this time period? For more info, including setlists, head to http://scotthudson.blogspot.com

The unprecedented third show of new releases this month ends the series not with a whimper but with triumph. These aren’t extras or third-rate fillers. The tracks aired tonight proudly stand next to those played in the first two shows. In fact, this episode is not only the longest but most varied of the trio. Part of the reason for the length, though, is the last minute decision to add a set devoted to today’s release of the reissue of my third favorite album of all time, Let It Be by The Replacements. This new box includes a disc of outtakes and other rarities, along with a live album recorded in Chicago on August 17, 1984. I also added a couple of songs by a band I saw in Minneapolis last Saturday. Playing with our friends the Daniel James Gang (led by former Indonesia Junk front man Daniel James and accompanied by Geoff Palmer on second guitar) and opener Cheap Glue (oh man, I need them to record ASAP), Smart Shoppers are a performance art/punk band from Green Bay, and Shop Among Us is quite fun. There’s also sets devoted to two tribute records this week – Play On: A […]

I’ve been prone to announce on my first set of monthly new release episodes that it’s devoted to “friends of the show”. But that’s not to say that part two doesn’t include my rock and roll pals. No, no, no. In fact, the second episode always involves a lengthy set devoted to my super special friends at Rum Bar Records. Malibu Lou has always been so supportive of The Ledge, and has always ensured that I have copies of everything his wonderful label releases. This month’s show is no different, and along with the usual lengthy set of their newest tracks I have a couple of independently-released records by artists affiliated with Rum Bar. Both Brad Marino and The Prozacs have fantastic new tracks out that I’m happy to spin tonight. There’s also a plethora of female-led rock and roll this week, starting off with our friends The Silent Treatment and their new track “Repeat Catastrophe”. There’s also the latest “supergroup” Snocaps, led by Katie and Allison Crutchfield, along with The Belair Lip Bombs, The High Frequencies, and many more. Oh yeah, and the long-awaited return of Thee Headcoatees! What’s your favorite tune this week? For more info, including setlists, […]

I was going through the motions of selecting songs for the planned two new release episodes for November, and I quickly realized that I had way too many songs! What a problem to have, right? So for the first time, this month’s new release series will be three full episodes! Yes, I know earlier this year I had some leftovers for a third episode, but I’m talking about three full shows of new tunes!  Tonight’s episode, like most “part 1’s”, is primarily devoted to friends of the show. These are artists and labels that routinely send me their newest tunes. Like Numb Surprise, who have sent me tracks each and every month this year. Or the latest Rob Moss and Skin-Tight Skin double cover series, where he and a fellow artist cover each other. There’s also the latest from power pop legend Jim Basnight, a new Big Stir release, and even some baseball-related tracks from our buddies Vista Blue. Plus there’s quite a few new power pop faves, and a nice batch of garage, punk, and indie rock. Oh yeah, and a deep dive into that new Husker Du live box set. What tracks did you did? For more info, […]

As a rule I generally don’t go to class reunions. They’re just too weird for me, and I’m not great at the “what are you doing these days” types of conversations. But a few weeks ago was my 40th year college reunion, and a handful of great old friends convinced me to attend some of the festivities. Truthfully, I have to thank those old pals, as I ended up having a great time. Sure, my old man memory caused me to not remember some of these folks but I did my best. It also caused me to reminsce on the music of that era. I was the music director of KAUR my senior year, and it was such a great period in my life. Some of my favorite bands were putting out their greatest music, and almost every week there seemed to be potnetial new faves. The combo of this sort of reminiscing and the upcoming release of a live Husker Du box set, 1985: The Miracle Year, made the decision to honor that year on a Ledge episode an easy one. Here are quite a few of the great songs from that year. Yes, at times it does get […]

I must admit I was of two minds about when to do this year’s special Halloween show. My first thought was that since the actual holiday falls on a Ledge night I’d just save it for that evening. Makes perfect sense, right? But then again, it’s a dated show once it hits November. Isn’t it smarter to do it a full week ahead so fans of ghoulish rock and roll can enjoy my spooky favorites for a full week? That’s what I decided to do. Like every special Halloween broadcast, tonight’s episode is full of almost all brand new tunes for the ocassion. Many are special releases for the trick or treaters, such as new singles by Vista Blue, Brad Marino, Lynda Mandolyn, and The Goldstars. Others come from full-blown Halloween albums, such as Big Stir’s Chilling, Thrilling Hooks and Haunted Harmonies and The Halloween EP by The Bacarrudas. Other tunes come from regular releases from the last few months that just happened to fit the horror theme. What tracks did you enjoy the most? For more info, including setlists, head to http://scotthudson.blogspot.com

The second part of this month’s new release series is honestly a little more full tilt rock and roll than usual. It’s not by any grand scheme. It’s just how the tracks (and relese dates) work out. What is typica that once again there’s a tasty set of Rum Bar Records new releases, and two full sets of great female-led tracks, including ther great returns of Cindy Lawson and Cocktail Slippers! There’s also a plethora of new bands (or at least new to me). What new releaes are you enjoying? For more info, including setlists, head to http://scotthudson.blogspot.com

I had just finalized the tracks for the first part of the October new release series when I received some tragic news. South Dakota Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame member (and good pal) Dave Scarbrough had passed away. Obviously, that changed tonight’s broadcast as I needed to share some of the great music Dave produced over the past 40 years or so. Dave’s music story began when he first heard punk rock on KAUR in the late 70s, was expanded by the cool records found at Soux Falls record stores Iron Creek and Ernie November, and culminated in fabulous bands such as Ill Bill and the Spinal Chills, State Birds, The Habitual Groove Of It, and The Harvesters. He also engineered and/or produced a number of local projects, and put out quite a few solo records, including 2022’s Happy Ever After. You will be missed, Dave. We move from there to a show devoted heavily with friends of the show. Vista Blue and Rob Moss & Skin-Tight Skin/Eytan Mirsky’s double-sided singles are aired, along with new tracks by The Pozers, Ricky Rochelle, wht.rbbt.obj, and Numb Surprise. Tav Falco returns with a record that looks back at his storied career, […]

The last Friday of September means that this is also the last episode of The Ledge during the third quarter of this year so it’s time for a little look back over the past three months. And once again, it’s a wonderful time to be into the sort of music you hear on this show. Every week there’s great new records being put out. In fact, just today saw the release of a good half dozen albums that deserved their place on this broadcast.  What recent albums are your current favorites? For more info, including setlists, head to http://scotthudson.blogspot.com

Ok, the “covers” folder is full so it’s again time for a show of nothing but remakes! What’s surprising is that it usually takes five or six months to be ready for each of this type, but it was only two months ago that I utilized this theme. But then again, there’s been a plethora of tribute albums in the last few weeks, mot notably the fabulous Make Something Happen: A Tribute To The Flashcubes on Big Stir Records. I aired a set off this release in my new release episode earlier this month, but it definitely deserved another outting in this episode. But that’s not all from our pals at Big Stir Records. On October 10th, they will have the perfect Halloween album with Chilling, Thrilling Hooks and Haunted Harmonies: The Big Stir Records Halloween Grimoire. Featuring almost all of the label’s great acts, they’ve released a prerelease single off the record, a cover of “Eyeball Eater (From Outer Space) by sparkle*jets u.k. What’s especailly cool is that the digital version of the single includes a previously unreleased 1958 version by The Legends, a band featuring Richard West, fathre of sparkle*jets u.k.’s Susan West.  Elsewhere, there are fab covers […]

Believe it or not, there are actually rules when it comes to The Ledge’s new release series. The main rule is simple – when there is a two part new release series the deadline for both shows is the start of the part one’s Friday night broadcast. But rules don’t really work in rock and roll, so every now and then I do have to make an important executive decision. That’s what happens with this week’s second part of the September new release series. I found out at the begining of the week that our good friend Pavid Vermin was putting out a new record, The Life of  a Showgirl, and after he kindly provided me with this wonderful collection of pop-punk (the good kind of pop-punk) I just had to include a couple of tunes this week. (It helps that none of the tunes are over two minutes long.)  The same could be said for another friend of the show, the power pop sounds of Detroit’s The Needmores. But their email of their first EP, Side X Side, just barely missed the deadline. Close enough for me! Besides those fabulous new records, this week’s episode includes a ton of […]

Another month, another two episodes devoted to new music! This week’s part one is centered around two great tribute albums released by two great labels. Our friends at Big Stir Records are set to release a fabulous tribute to power pop hall of famers The Flashcubes on September 12. I’m featuring five tracks off this great release that I’m sure y’all will love. There’s also a fabulous new tribute record from Jem Records, and it’s all about David Bowie. Following in the footsteps of similar records devoted to Ray Davies, Brian Wilson, John Lennon and Jagger/Richards, tonight you get four of the abum’s 11 tracks that cover Bowie’s entire career. Along with those great tracks, there’s new singles by Ledge favorits The Sleeveens and Memo PST, a wonderful compilation EP of previously-released tracks by The Whiffs, and awesome albums by Tamar Berk, Star Collector, The Unknowns, and many more. What tracks do you love the most? For more info, including setlists, head to http://scotthudson.blogspot.com