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Description
Every artist has a story. Whether big or small, they‘ve all seen the ups and downs and worked hard to maintain careers in music. We chat with some of the most interesting legacy artists in pop music and go in depth on their careers, how they feel about them, what it‘s like being a ”rock star” and also hear their best stories. If you‘re a music junkie you will love these long form conversations with beloved figures from your life.
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Whether you know it or not, you've been listening to Fonzi Thornton for almost 50 years. As teenagers he and Luther Vandross formed a lifelong friendship and devoting their lives to music pays off for both - Luther becomes a giant among giants and Fonzi becomes one of the most sought after backup singers ever. Starting in Listen My Brother with Luther and friends Carlos Alomar and Robin Clark turns into a stint singing with Chic and then a lifelong partnership with Roxy Music and Bryan Ferry. Along the way there's been Bowie, Aretha, Scritti Politti, Candi Staton and tons more. Don't forget to watch him in the excellent new documentary Luther: Never Too Much that will be premiering on CNN on New Year's Day. Enjoy!
www.luther.film
www.patreon.com/c/thehustlepod
Who doesn't love a good list! Music nerds especially will spend hours debating one topic or another. Author Gary Graff returns to the show to discuss his new book - 501 Essential Albums of the 90s. Gary discusses the process for compiling the book, the writers involved, covering various genres and, most importantly, what was and wasn't included! Be sure to tell us what you would have made your list!
www.patreon.com/c/thehustlepod
WARNING: EXTREMELY SENSITIVE CONTENT
Ken Stringfellow was a founding member of the Posies, who enjoyed a long career as one of the best power pop bands of the 90s and beyond. He also held down recurring gigs with REM, Big Star, Giant Sand and many others as well as a solo career. In 2021 this was all upended when three women accused him of sexual assault. Since then almost all of his musical partners have distanced themselves from him and he's had to (almost) start over from scratch. This year he released his first album since his world imploded called Circuit Breaker which is about as primal a creative response to this as you'll ever hear. Ken joins us this week to tell his side of the story. It's a tricky subject that we chose to approach journalistically and neutrally. We apologize in advance if anyone is triggered by this conversation as that was not our intention.
www.patreon.com/c/thehustlepod
www.rainn.org/resources
www.kenstringfellow.com
Like it or not, this is the year of Redd Kross! This underappreciated power pop band is coming at you with an assault of good stuff in 2024. They have an incredible new self-titled album, a memoir called Now You're One of Us, and a fantastic new documentary called Born Innocent: The Redd Kross Story. Jeff and Steven McDonald started out as pre-teens in the hardcore scene in Southern California, but matured into one of the great, if unsung, bands of the 80s and 90s with albums like 1990's Third Eye and 1993's epic Phaseshifter. As is so often the case, mainstream success never came knocking, but the band has carried on for decades consistently releasing great music. Steven joins us this week with the film's director Andrew Reich to discuss the whole career, being kidnapped at 12 (crazy story), how to deal with success not happening, and tons more. If you don't know Redd Kross, now's the time to get involved!
www.reddkross.com
www.reddkrossfilm.com
www.patreon.com/c/thehustlepod
This week is synth pioneer Peter Godwin! In the 70s he was a part of the very arty and European band Metro who are best known for being the originators of the song "Criminal World" that was covered by Bowie for the Let's Dance album. Peter went solo and recorded the worldwide hit "Images of Heaven" that still lives on today as well as an album and some EPs, but the rest of his career has been sort of mysterious. Recently, Cherry Red released a 2-disc set of this fruitful period called The Polydor Years that includes all the songs and remixes you could want. We also discuss other artists he's worked with like Steve Winwood, his songs being placed in TV shows, and how living in France energizes him. Enjoy!
www.cherryred.co.uk/peter-godwin-the-polydor-years-2cd?srsltid=AfmBOopTpSlkuNEUi_0JND1IajHqkFBpsYnfePYGbhrhv99NRqTpk3AX
www.patreon.com/c/thehustlepod
The Blue Nile would never be accused of being overly prolific. In 20 years of activity, they only managed four albums, two of which, 1984's A Walk Across the Rooftops and 1989's Hats, are absolute masterpieces. Ask Taylor Swift if you don't believe me. The hallmarks of their unique sound is part Paul Buchanen's soulful voice and part PJ Moore's wholly unique synth work. In 2023 PJ Moore and Co. finally released his first solo album, When a Good Day Comes, that is just what you would want from someone of his caliber. He joins us this week to explain the working habits of the Blue Nile, how technology affected their creativity and where he goes from here. If you don't know them, you're in for a treat. Your life will never be the same.
www.pjmooreandco.com
www.patreon.com/c/thehustlepod
We all miss Prince. It's a hole that will never be filled. Imagine what it would have been like to be a part of the Revolution during his peak 80s period. He can play every instrument better than his band members, but he's reliant on them to put on incredible concerts and keep his musical instincts in check. It's not an accident that he made his best music when he had them as collaborators "Dr." Matt Fink was at Prince's side playing keyboards for over a decade. Who can forget the cool guy in scrubs and shades in all the videos! Matt joins us this week to discuss his time with Prince - how the songwriting worked, life at Paisley Park, the craziness of Purple Rain, where the band members fit in with the overall sound, and more. Enjoy!
www.patreon.com/c/thehustlepod
Author Graeme Thomson returns this week to discuss the updated release of his 2012 book, Under the Ivy: The Life & Music of Kate Bush. He had no idea when he finished that book 12 years ago how Kate's profile would change in the next few years. From induction into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame, to the rediscovery of "Running Up That Hill" by millions of new fans, to her Before the Dawn concert residency at a time you assumed she'd never perform again, it's as if her story was just beginning. We discuss why her career seems almost "critic-proof", why she remains so elusive, and what the music she makes now says about her place in life. She's definitely one of the most interesting artists ever and Under The Ivy captures our fascination incredibly well.
https://www.amazon.com/Under-Ivy-Music-Omnibus-Remastered/dp/1915841356
https://www.patreon.com/c/thehustlepod
Music writer Chris Charlesworth joins us to discuss his new book, Just Backdated, which depicts his years writing for Melody Maker in the seventies. Every music lover would kill for a job like this and Chris was the lucky guy that had it. He befriends his favorite band (the Who), sleeps with groupies, parties with everyone, lives the high life in NYC, goes to concerts every night, and hangs out with all the rock stars of the decade. The book is so fun you won't believe it or put it down. Enjoy!
https://www.amazon.com/Just-Backdated-Melody-Maker-Seventies/dp/1915858259
https://www.patreon.com/c/thehustlepod
We've got a unique twofer for you this week. First up is Mr. Big frontman Eric Martin! Eric had been at it for a decade before Mr. Big happened. He fronted bands in the Bay Area and recorded a solo albums that were as poppy as it gets. Luckily, Mr. Big worked out and they just completed their "last" tour and released the live album, The Big Finish as a memento. They've been extra busy beecause they also released a new album earlier this year. He didn't have much time, but we get into his early days, the post "To Be With You" period, and what his plans are now. Then we hear from Bossa Nova royalty Bebel Gilberto! Her dad was the legendary Joao and her step mom was Astrid, but she's built her own incredible career taking her native music into the future. She chats with us for a bit while making lunch about it all. Enjoy!
www.mrbigsite.com
www.bebelgilberto.com
The wonderful Carlos Alomar returns to discuss the new Luther Vandross documentary, Luther: Never Too Much. Carlos and his wife Robin Clark have been friends with Luther since high school and that friendship extends from their first group together, Listen My Brother, to them all being introduced to David Bowie for the Young Americans album and beyond. The film shows his launch as one of the greatest male r&b vocalists in history, his many talents as a writer and arranger, his battles with weight, his untimely death, and his complicated personal life. You only have to hear Luther's voice to recognize he's one of the best there's ever been. This incredible film allows us to get to know the man who was as beautiful as his voice and Carlos fleshes it all out for us.
The Bolshoi flirted with Goth and synth pop in the late 80s, but what they ended up doing was releasing some great alternative rock songs. "A Way", "Lindy's Party" and "Sunday Morning" still hold up and tours with Peter Murphy and Sisters of Mercy should have propelled them further, but it didn't happen. Eventually the band splintered with lead singer Trevor Tanner moving to FLA and going solo and keyboardist Paul Clark doing his thing in Seattle. Those two have partnered up over the years as the Bolshoi Brothers and are about to release some new music. They join us this week to discuss their journey and where they are today. Enjoy!
www.thebolshoibrothers.com
www.patreon.com/c/thehustlepod
Ska Week concludes with author Daniel Rachel and our discussion on his fantastic new book, Too Much Too Young: The 2 Tone Records Story. This essential document tells the story of one of the most revolutionary record labels created to release some of the most revolutionary music ever made. Created by Jerry Dammers in the late 70s, 2 Tone was meant to be a safe place for interracial bands like the Specials and the Selecter to release the hottest ska music happening at the time. Eventually, the label launched other legends like Madness and the English Beat as well, but only lasted a few years. This discussion gets deep on the issues of race and class and how they play a part in the story. The book is as incredible as the movement and music itself. Enjoy!
www.akashicbooks.com/catalog/too-much-too-young-the-2-tone-record-story/
www.patreon.com/c/thehustlepod
Bassist Horace Panter has been a valuable and reliable sideman for his entire career. He starts out as a founding member of the Specials, contributing mightily to the magic sound of that revolutionary band. After their demise, he joined forces with Dave and Roger to form General Public and rode that wave for a few years. Since then, he's been around for nearly every version of the Specials including the Neville Staple fronted version in the 90s and the Terry Hall reunion version of the 2000s. These days he's mostly retired and doing what he wants. We hear stories of the ups and downs, his last interactions with Terry Hall, his art career, and much more. Enjoy!
www.horacepanterart.com
www.patreon.com/c/thehustlepod
We're kicking off "Ska Week" with a conversation with author Marc Wasserman about his new book, Sole Savation: A Gen X Love Letter to the English Beat. Marc writes beautifully about his tough childhood - specifically a broken family life and poor health - and how the band's last album, Special Beat Service, got him through all of it while also informing his lifelong love of music and ska. These are sentiments we share on the Hustle so Marc and Jon go deep on what the band means to them. It's the first of three episodes this week focusing on the ska revolution of the early 80s. Enjoy!
www.diwulf.com/products/skaboom-an-american-ska-and-reggae-oral-history-by-marc-wasserman-by-marc-wasserman
www.patreon.com/c/thehustlepod
We continue celebrating Morrissey's guitarists this week by hearing from longtime collaborator Boz Boorer! The love of rockabilly runs deep with this group and was central to Boz and Moz hitting it off. Boz stuck around for decades and co-wrote many of Moz's best songs including "The More You Ignore Me", "Maladjusted", and "Jack the Ripper". Right now he's about to release a solo album called Morrissey: Reimagined which is him and a bunch of friends doing wild covers of the classics we know. Boz discusses how the two of them work, his current status in the band, his days in the Polecats, and his love for rare vinyl. Enjoy!
www.bozboorer.com
www.patreon.com/thehustlepod
The wonderful Dean Pitchford returns to the podcast to deep dive the gargantuan soundtrack to 1984's Footloose. After winning the Oscar for "Fane: in 1981, Dean set about creating the entire world of Footloose - the songs, the screenplay, etc. It's gone on to sell millions and millions of copies and never left the zeitgeist. Dean goes track by track giving us all the stories behind the songs. He also catches us up on his induction in the Songwriters Hall of Fame (the same ceremony that included R.E.M.) and tells us the story of the Carrie musical he worked on back in the day that never quite made it to the stage. He's a legend and we're lucky to have him back!
www.deanpitchford.com
www.patreon.com/thehustlepod
For the next two weeks we're celebrating the guitarists that make Morrissey the artist he was. First up is the great Alain Whyte! Alain was brought on in 91 to simply mime behind Moz in a video, but once they realized how much they had in common musically, he stuck around for the next several years, not to mention he co-wrote many of his best songs like "Alma Matters", "Glamorous Glue" and "Billy Budd" to name only a few. Though he's been out of the Moz orbit for a while, his impact is still felt today and he's taking this on the road. In addition to focusing more on a solo career now, he's also opening some shows for Modern English starting this week! Alain chooses to keep it positive, but you'll learn a lot about the writing process and his love for music is infectious (there are many tangents). Enjoy!
www.alainwhytemusic.com
www.patreon.com/thehustlepod
Man, the Bangles had a ton of hits in the 80s. It came to an end by the end of the decade, but what a legacy. From there, guitarist and founding member Vicki Peterson took a break from the spotlight and got involved with a sort of mini supergroup called the Continental Drifters. Originally, the Drifters were made up of LA musicians looking for something to do, but their live shows were hot and their network eventually grew to about 10 members and included people like Vicki, Susan Cowsill, and Peter Holsapple among others. A fantastic book about them called White Noise & Lightning was recently published and an all-star tribute album was released last week. Vicki discusses her attachment to the Drifters and her mental state during that period as well as her history with the Bangles, their current status, and the stories behind many songs and videos. She's a legend! Enjoy!
https://cooldogsound.square.site
https://continentaldrifters.com
http://www.thebangles.com
https://www.patreon.com/thehustlepod
Drummer Omar Hakim is one of those players you know it's him when you hear him. He's been the go-to guy for dozens of legends for over 40 years. Artists like Miles Davis, Sting, Bowie, Dire Straits, Kate Bush rely on him to make them the best they can be. These days, Omar is excited about a new project called Sonic Boom Squad which is almost a solo project. In a fit of creativity he wrote and recorded several funk rock songs along the lines of the Isley Brothers or Mother's Finest and is releasing them over the next few months. We get into all of this as well as playing with Tracy Chapman, Anita Baker, Bruce Hornsby, Bob Geldof, and even Don Johnson and your favorite Mariah Carey Christmas song! There's a lot here. Enjoy!
www.facebook.com/OmarHakimMusic
www.patreon.com/thehustlepod
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Fantastic. I've been obsessed with Hunters/ Mark Seymour since about 1988 and since I live in Canada, he has always seemed a bit inaccessible. You asked him a lot of the kind of questions I would have liked to ask! I might have to listen again.
Great show!
Best podcast for hearing from some lesser known musical geniuses and some not so lesser known. Love it!!
brilliant insight into the reality of being in a criminally underrated band. love Embrace.
The Hustle Podcast great! The Host, Jon, gets the best stories from guests. This is definitely one of my favorite podcasts.
Great interviews with guests that you don't normally get to hear from.
Great show
Eddie and The Tide were great
Great show buddy