Psychedelic Relics

Guest: Wailers guitarist Neil Andersson. In this epysode we go WAY back...all the way to the start of what we now call "Garage Rock".  Many music scholars point to The Wailers as being the first true Garage Rock band.  My guest Neil Andersson has a very unique perspective on the band.  Before he joined, he was a fan!  He would play along to Wailers albums having no idea that one day he would have the good fortune to join them.  He tells the story about being nervous for his first gig with the band opening for the Everly Brothers in front of 2000 fans...with no rehearsal! The Wailers version of 'Louie Louie' became the template for all others to follow, including the most well known version by the Kingsmen (they even copied the yelp before the solo). These guys even started their own label (as teenagers!) and released the first albums by The Sonics.   It's a fascinating story about a fantastic band that was pivotal in influencing so many acts to follow.  You like Hendrix's "Spanish Castle Magic"? Thank The Wailers for that too... Note: I used a few seconds of another podcast called "History of Rock Music in 500 Songs", specifically Episode 106 which discusses the history of the song 'Louie Louie'.  This episode goes into great detail of this song, providing much more information and insight than I had time to discuss here.  I highly recommend this podcast to any music fans, it's excellent.  Here is the link to the episode I referenced: https://500songs.com/podcast/episode-106-louie-louie-by-the-kingsmen/ My thanks to guest Neil Andersson for taking time to walk down memory lane and talk about his time with this great band.  He has lots of music and fantastic art available - check it all out at his website: https://www.neilandersson.com/ Lastly if you have not already done so, check out my Patreon page for bonus content and if you like this show please consider supporting us for as little as $1/month here: patreon.com/FarmerJohnMusic Thanks for tuning into Psychedelic Relics, I hope you dig The Fabulous Wailers as much as I do. -FJ

Guest: J.J. Light (aka Jim Stallings) In this epysode we hear the tale of how an American artist recorded an album featuring songs about his Navajo background, with the title track becoming a smash hit in Europe...yet inexplicably the record company decided not to release the album in North America.  What?!? The album was recorded with a huge budget and had most of The Wrecking Crew as session musicians, which automatically means you are in for a good time. J.J. Light was an artist that should have gone on to more fame and fortune, but as it turns out success was his biggest failure. Enjoy! -FJ Support the show for as little as $1 a month here: patreon.com/FarmerJohnMusic Share this show with your friends. You're cool, your friends are cool and they deserve to hear cool music!  

Guests: Ian ("Tag") Waggett, Shape of the Rain drummer; David McPhie, Shape of the Rain band manager; plus additional audio excerpts used with permission of Keith Riley, Shape of the Rain singer/guitarist/songwriter. In this epysode, we learn how this fantastic UK band was influenced by the West Coast sounds of Love, HP Lovecraft etc. to create a unique sound all their own.  With excellent songwriting from band leader Keith Riley, they incorporated 12 string guitars with a pedal steel guitar - very unusual for a psychedelic band to use at that time.   Shape of the Rain played with EVERY major band of the day.  Only releasing one album in their lifetime, it's the classic tale of a band who had all the components to be major stars.  However fate it seems had other plans. A recent reissue of their lone album is a great addition for fans as it includes not only a remastered version of the album, but a plethora of fantastic unreleased tracks plus a complete live album.  Buy this today! https://www.cherryred.co.uk/shape-of-the-rain-riley-riley-wood-amp-waggett-3cd-digipak#:~:text=It's%20a%20fascinating%20overview%20of,immediately%20post%2DBeatles%20new%20dawn.  A SPECIAL NOTE ABOUT THIS EPYSODE:  The Shape of the Rain epysode was completed a few weeks ago.  I had intended to release it earlier than this, however on the day before it was set to be published news broke that Keith Riley had passed away. I made the decision to leave the epysode as is, recorded when Keith was still alive.  I felt re-editing would take away from the story.  Instead I added a short prologue to commemorate Keith's life.  He was an extraordinary talent and I can only hope my love for his music comes across in this epysode.  I love this band, I love this album and I love Keith's songwriting.  RIP Keith, you will be missed. If you have questions, comments or suggestions for future epysodes, I can be reached at farmerjohnmusic@gmail.com. We rely on support from our Patreon backers to bring you more content like this.  If you enjoy what you are hearing, consider becoming a member for as little as $1/month by clicking here: patreon.com/FarmerJohnMusic . Thank you for your support. -FJ    

Psychedelic Relics is expanding!  Additional bonus content is now available at: patreon.com/FarmerJohnMusic In Bonustrax 01, learn how the band Neon Pearl eventually morphed into T2 as we dive into their archival album "The 1967 Recordings".   In Bonustrax 02, Farmer John and Uncle Herff discuss the "2023 In Memoriam Fantasy Band" they would assemble from artists we sadly lost in the last calendar year.  So much great talent to choose from...who would you pick for your fantasy band? More full epysodes of the show are coming your way soon right here, stay tuned.  Bonustrax are available only on our Patreon page.   I hope you dig this stuff as much as I do and thank you for your support. -FJ

Guest: Bubble Puppy drummer David Fore. In this epysode we learn how this Texan band came swinging right out of the gates with a smokin' hit in 1969.  After some unfortunate record company shenanigans they were forced to move to another label and change their name to Demian.  One album later and with a promising future ahead, it all falls apart.  "It was stupid.  Don't ever be in a band!", David said jokingly. My thanks to drummer David Fore for joining the program to talk about his days with this awesome band.  David is still recording and performing live.  You can see his information at www.davidfore.com.  Also check out his substack if you want to get first-hand accounts of life as a rock 'n' roll star in the late 60's/early 70's.  It's a fantasatic read, always informative and entertaining.  Here's the link:  https://davidfore.substack.com/ We also end the debate as to which album is better - A Gathering of Promises or Demian.  David also assists in my pronounciation! We need your support on Patreon to keep this show going.  Subscribe for as little as $1/month here:  https://www.patreon.com/FarmerJohnMusic The Patreon page has the following FREE bonus content: The full David Fore interview, portions of which were excerpted here The Bubble Puppy photo gallery featuring front/back photos of their albums, singles, alternate shots, photos of the band and Farmer John's music room Our fun promo video for A Gathering of Promises featuring our friend Mike If you have show ideas, suggestions or just want to chat about music, I'm at farmerjohnmusic@gmail.com. PLEASE rate AND review the show!! Reviews help our show move up the rankings and get us noticed by more listeners.  You're cool, your friends are cool and they deserve to hear cool music.  Share Psychedelic Relics with everyone you know using this link: https://linktr.ee/psychedelicrelics I hope you dig A Gathering of Promises as much as I do! FJ      

Guest: Mighty Baby's Ian Whiteman. In this epysode, we hear how the UK mod/soul-inspired band "The Action" - who were produced by none other than George Martin - morphed into "Mighty Baby". Vocalist/multi-instrumentalist Ian Whiteman joins the show to talk about his memories of his days with this fascinating band that is often cited as "England's Grateful Dead" due to the improvisational elements of their live shows, which culminated as the closing act on day one of 1970's famous Isle of Wight festival in front of 600,000 people. "People compared us the Grateful Dead, but not really. We were more structured", Ian said. Ian shares some great stories about his bandmates, the songs and who was influencing them ("The Byrds had a seismic effect"). We do a track analysis, see what the critics had to say and of course we hear from Uncle Herff.   Support the show for as little as $2/month on our Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/FarmerJohnMusic     Bonus content avialable on Patreon for this epysode: The full Ian Whiteman interview Mighty Baby photo gallery including albums, inserts, singles, photos of the band and adverts ALL bonus content is FREE, with membership to support the show available Share this show with your friends using this link: https://linktr.ee/psychedelicrelics You're cool, your friends are cool and they deserve to hear cool music.  Follow us on social media.   ERRORS AND OMISSIONS:  In this epysode I mistakenly credited the artwork for the Mighty Baby LP to guitarist Martin Stone; the design was actually the work of artist Martin Sharp.   Feedback? Questions? Ideas for future epysodes?  Reach out to me at farmerjohnmusic@gmail.com.. Stay groovy.

Guest: Blue Mountain Eagle drummer Don Poncher. In this epysode, Farmer John unearths the fantastic self titled album by West Coast band Blue Mountain Eagle.  A unique band featuring 3 guitarists, 5 vocalists and 5 songwriters. Hear how this band was formed from the ashes of Buffalo Springfield.  Fans of that band and of the West Coast sound that was dominant in the mid to late 60's should definitely explore this album. Background information, track analysis, reviews and of course we hear from Uncle Herff. Free  bonus content on Patreon page: The full Don Poncher interview Blue Mountain Eagle photo gallery including album cover, photos of the band and gig posters Link to patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/FarmerJohnMusic Listen to the Blue Mountain Eagle album here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HrR6-hX44U or here: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7BLQI8aBUxWhuKWGK0OXPI?si=OA2DmMHIT8a3HA44xFUsBQ   Feedback? Ideas for future epysodes? Email me at farmerjohnmusic@gmail.com  

Guest: Musician/Arranger Bob Buckley In this epysode, Farmer John unearths the fantastic 1968 psychedelic album "Suddenly One Summer".  Guest Bob Buckley worked on the album and acted as the arranger.  Bob solves the mystery of which musicians played on this record (note: even the liner notes of a recent reissue have it wrong!). Background information, track analysis, reviews and of course we hear from Uncle Herff. Listen to the album here: https://open.spotify.com/album/63txjyk2LXOBMT5IUFCgZT?si=unhwrD5yTymEwoeZLZpR1w or here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDoagUsKg2k&list=PLG-InimcgCwNS6VLUozRTicTg1nvCVIxt Bonus content available on our Patreon page: Full Bob Buckley interview photos of the album photo of the "Fly" EP cover issued in France only photo of the 4 page insert on the most recent reissue photo of the insert for the While Whale label compilation LP "Land of Sensation and Delights" photo of Farmer John in his record room with his original copy of the LP Links to Bob Buckley's psychedelic band "Spring" on a 1969 CBC variety show visit https://www.patreon.com/FarmerJohnMusic For more information on Bob Buckley's impressive career, visit www.bobbuckley.com. Feedback? Ideas for future epysodes? Email me at farmerjohnmusic@gmail.com.    

Welcome to Psychedelic Relics!  This is a short introductory epysode to give you an idea of what we're all about. A full epysode is coming your way soon, stay tuned! Bonus content will be available at: https://www.patreon.com/FarmerJohnMusic