Clive Langer is a pioneer with Deaf School, a craftsman behind chart-topping hits, and a collaborator with artists including Madness, Elvis Costello, David Bowie, and Morrissey. At a time he returns to his roots with The Clang Group, he reflects on his career highlights as a songwriter and producer.

Further information

The Clang Group’s new album New Clang, is set for release on 21 February 2025, and is available to pre-order here

Clive Langer podcast tracks

Podcasts also available: Stephen Street, Kevin Armstrong, Bruce Thomas – Elvis Costello and The Attractions, Helen O’Hara – Dexys Midnight Runners, John Flansburgh, John Linnell – They Might Be Giants

This podcast is also available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and all usual platforms

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Phill Brown recalls the making of the Small Faces’ album Ogdens’ Nut Gone Flake. As a tape operator at Olympic Studios, he provides insights into the recording techniques, studio dynamics, and the relationship between the group and engineer Glyn Johns on this landmark album. He also reflects on working on Jimi Hendrix’s All Along the Watchtower and The Rolling Stones’ Sympathy for the Devil before discussing his work as a sound engineer with artists including Led Zeppelin and Bob Marley.

Further information

Phill Brown – Are We Still Rolling? Studio’s Drugs & Rock ‘n’ Roll – One Man’s Journey Recording Classic Albums

This episode is part of The CAT Club (Classic Album Thursdays)

Podcasts also available: Arthur Brown on The Crazy World of Arthur Brown, Philip Norman on John Lennon, Rob Chapman on Syd Barrett, Richard Digby Smith: The life and times of a recording studio engineer

This podcast is also available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and all usual platforms

If you like what I do please support me on Ko-fi

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Leslie Mandoki is a visionary musician in progressive rock. As the mastermind behind Mandoki Soulmates, he united Ian Anderson, Jack Bruce, Greg Lake and Al Di Meola in a celebration of musical innovation and collaboration. He shares his daring escape from Communist Hungary and his audacious vision to merge British progressive rock with American fusion which continues today with new album, A Memory Of Our Future.

Further information

mandoki-soulmates

Leslie Mandoki podcast tracks

Podcasts also available: Ian Anderson, John Helliwell, Chris Thompson, Carl Palmer, Pete Brown

This podcast is also available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and all usual platforms

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Neil Storey highlights 12 standout tracks from Island Records’ transformative years, 1969-70. We uncover the stories behind releases from the trailblazing label, featuring Free, Traffic, Nick Drake, and Cat Stevens. The conversation also explores the cultural significance of Island Records and shines a light on overlooked releases from this remarkable era.

Further information

theislandbookofrecords.com

Island Records 1969-70 podcast tracks

Podcasts also available: Island Records 1959-1968, Ian Anderson – Jethro Tull, Ian Hunter – Mott the Hoople, Verden Allen – Mott The Hoople, Simon Nicol – Fairport Convention (2023), Nick Drake: The Life

This podcast is also available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and all usual platforms

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Keith Hopwood of Herman’s Hermits reflects on a life in music. From the breakout hit I’m Into Something Good to writing and recording with the group, making movies, and touring with The Who (complete with Keith Moon’s wild escapades), he shares it all. After the band’s split, Keith ventured into solo projects and produced music for TV and film. Now, he’s as active as ever, celebrating the release of his memoir, A Hermit’s Tale, and preparing new music with Peter Noone.

Further information

Keith Hopwood – A Hermit’s Tale (use code STRANGEBREW for 10% off all purchases from Keith’s website)

Keith Hopwood podcast tracks

Podcasts also available: Peter Noone, Graham Gouldman – 2022, Graham Gouldman – 2020, Harvey Lisberg, Allan Clarke – The Hollies (2023), Bobby Elliott – The Hollies, John Carter, Tony Hazzard – 2022

This podcast is also available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and all usual platforms

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Bruce Woolley has had a fascinating career in music, from his early days co-writing “Video Killed the Radio Star” to working with artists including Trevor Horn, Dollar and Grace Jones.

Bruce opens up about the long journey to get his new Bruce Woolley and the Camera Club anthology released, the origins of “Video Killed the Radio Star”, and the musicians like Thomas Dolby who passed through the group’s ranks. He also discusses his later work on Grace Jones’ “Slave to the Rhythm” and collaborations with Trevor Horn. Now performing with The Radio Science Orchestra, Bruce reflects on how the music industry has changed over the years while still staying creatively restless.

Further information

Bruce Woolley & The Camera Club: The Definitive Anthology 1977-1981

Bruce Woolley podcast tracks

Podcasts also available: Trevor Horn, Geoff Downes, Mike Hurst

This podcast is also available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and all usual platforms

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Colin ‘Smiley’ Petersen passed away on Monday, November 18, 2024, leaving behind a legacy that bridged the worlds of music and film.

Known as the original drummer of the Bee Gees, Petersen played an integral role during the group, contributing to their global rise. His time with the group included performances on hits such as ‘Massachusetts’, ‘To Love Somebody’, and ‘Words’ and their early groundbreaking albums including Bee Gees’ 1st. Beyond this, he first captured the public’s imagination as a young actor, starring in the Australian film Smiley, which gave him his nickname.

In recent years, Petersen had found a new audience through his work with The Best of the Bee Gees tribute show, for which he did a career spanning interview with Jason Barnard of The Strange Brew Podcast in July 2022:

The Bee Gees, 1967 (From left to right: Barry Gibb, Robin Gibb, Vince Melouney, Maurice Gibb, Colin Petersen.)

Colin on recording in The Bee Gees

As time went on we would arrive in the studio with no song and I would have that opportunity of just sitting with them suggesting different tempos and stuff like that. I think the fact that a lot of those tracks came from nothing gave the tracks a real spontaneity… We would work the songs up, the five of us as a team, and again I think that that’s why the songs sound so coordinated. We never recorded separately. The only separate thing was the orchestra coming in after we got all our overdubs done.

Oh my god, we spent some time in the studio I can’t tell you. Sometimes we would go in there for four hours, the Gibbs would come up with nothing and we’d just pack it in and go home. Then we’d try again another day and maybe the the creative juices were really running that night we might get down three backing tracks.

Colin on his approach to drumming

I was really quite imaginative with my playing, but there were a lot of lot of drummers at the time that were technically much more advanced than I was. Look, Chuck Berry only probably knew four chords, right? So sometimes when you’re limited you’ve got to be creative.. I think you can overdo the technique and you get to a stage where you can’t see the wood for the trees. I’ve always been a song guy with drumming.

He is survived by his ex-wife Joanne and their sons Jaime and Ben. He will be remembered for his warmth, wit, and unwavering passion for the arts.

The post Colin ‘Smiley’ Petersen: Bee Gees Drummer Dies at 78 appeared first on The Strange Brew .

Tony Banks reveals the creative exploration that defined Genesis’ sound and his personal foray into orchestral music. From early influences that shaped the band’s evolving approach to reflections on composing landmark tracks like ‘Firth of Fifth,’ Tony shares stories that go deep into his and Genesis’ legacy.

Further information

Tony Banks – 18 Pieces For Orchestra 7-6-5

Tony Banks podcast tracks

Podcasts also available: Tony Banks (2019), Steve Hackett (2022), Steve Hackett (2020), Anthony Phillips, Bill Bruford, Chester Thompson

This podcast is also available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and all usual platforms

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Arthur Brown shares captivating stories from his extraordinary life and the history behind his classic album, The Crazy World of Arthur Brown. The event included a thrilling moment when one of Arthur’s legendary flaming helmets was ignited on the CAT Club stage during the screening of his unforgettable 1968 Top of the Pops performance of ‘Fire.’ The evening climaxed with a spellbinding live performance, as Arthur sang ‘I Put a Spell on You’ over the original backing track, leaving the audience in awe.

Further information

thegodofhellfire.com

This episode is also part of The CAT Club (Classic Album Thursdays) podcast.

Arthur Brown podcast tracks

Podcasts also available: Arthur Brown (2018), Carl Palmer, Hawkwind – Days of the Underground, The Thunderclap Newman Story

This podcast is also available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and all usual platforms

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Peter Perrett opens up about his life and the creative process leading to The Cleansing, his most ambitious album yet. Collaborating with peers and friends, Bobby Gillespie, Johnny Marr, and Carlos O’Connell, Perrett crafts an honest, self-reflective exploration of life’s complexities, balancing raw emotional depth with moments of dark humour. He also reflects on his time with The Only Ones, including ‘Another Girl, Another Planet,’ which continues to influence new waves of musicians.

Further information

Peter Perrett website

Peter Perrett podcast tracks

Podcasts also available: Johnny Thunders by Nina Antonia, Glen Matlock, Paul Cook, Clem Burke, Rat Scabies

This podcast is also available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and all usual platforms

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Rosalie Cunningham chooses eight key tracks from across her career, highlighting both personal and musical turning points. From

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