Here's Johnny!!!! Our latest theme episode features songs about one of the most rock'n'roll names ever. But you wouldn't call "Johnny Angel" by Shelly Fabares rock, though it'll grow on you, unless you're a total yutz ... Song 2 is "Johnny B. Goode," a version of Chuck Berry's immortal rockin' classic performed by Cumberland, Rhode Island combo The Mards ("mods" with a Northeastern US accent)!. Michigan folk-punkers channel The Byrds on their rendition of the American Civil War chanty "When Johnny Comes Marching Home." Topical. San Francisco weirdos The Mystery Trend introduce us to a very unsettling All-American boy in "Johnny Was A Good Boy." And finally, Johnny-Come-Latelys Fine Young Cannibals tell another sad tale in the percolatin, leg-shakin' "Johnny Come Home." John, I'm only (pod)casting!!!
Hey Tiger
07/03/2026 | 1h 39 mins.
Look, there's no time for a long descripto, there's a tiger in them thar hills! This week's tune is "Hey Tiger," originally done by the rather capable jazzbos-turned-garagers The Topsy Turbys. Hear their wild story and sounds here! Then stay tuned for a boffo 80s revival version by podcast saints The Tell- Tale Hearts. Finally, we set the tiger trap for a third version by contempos The Wyld Gooms! Put a tiger in your tank!
Is Vic There?
27/02/2026 | 1h 39 mins.
The night is young, the mood is mellow, and there's music in our ears ... namely, the 1980 postpunk gem "Is Vic There" by Department S. We discuss the enigmatic lyrics and the surrounding lore of this everdark tune. There's also a version by Trolleybox, a surprising appearance of Clan of Xymox on this (or any!) garage rock podcast, and a totally groovy R&B rendition by Curtis Baker and the Bravehearts. Ow-ow-ow-ow-ow-awoo!
I Ain't No Miracle Worker
20/02/2026 | 1h 50 mins.
Back to the garage this week for a five-pack of versions of "I Ain't No Miracle Worker." The Annette Tucker/Nancy Mantz penned tune (they wrote "I Had Too Much Too Dream Last Night) was originally waxed by The Brogues in 1965. The Everyman, gruff vocals will put hair on your chest and the precise playing will make you think these guys can move mountains. An even more macho take comes from Canada's Great Scots, and we can attest to Canadian masculinity, can't we?The singer of this one might have turned into The Hulk (TM) later ... Podcast faves The Chocolate Watchband slow the tempo down and had some exotic touches - is that a balalaika? Dave Aguilar's vocal performance is more pained and we like the nuances. In the early 80s, British retronauts The Barracudas did the tune & it's jangly, power-poppy, and even a little post-punk in the vocals. Nice one, that. Finally, fast forward to 2023 for a postmilennial version by The KVB that draws out the no-hope message of the song and our times! Just take them for what they are!!!
Dream Baby Dream
13/02/2026 | 2h 39 mins.
We must have had too much too dream lately because we're leaving the 60s behind and starting in 1979 with Suicide's beautiful trance-drone, "Dream Baby Dream." It's a fingersnappin' rock n roll lullaby with electronics! Next up, Angel Corpus Christi's version wows us with the accordion! Bruce Springsteen swerves instrumentally and has the hypno-drone come from an old-timey pump organ. His version provoked some visceral reaction and we get into that ... More recently, Black Tambourine's rendition features a down and dirty bass tone, and Neneh Cherry & The Thing give the tune some 'tude plus some jazz skronk. Which one's the dreamiest?
The usual format is this: we pick a song from the 1950s or 1960s (genres range from garage, R&B, Girl Groups, Motown and Doo-Wop), and discuss three versions of that song, or sometimes we just play a song we haven’t heard before and react to it. We’ve covered classics like “Little Bit o’ Soul” and “Psychotic Reaction” to rarities like “Jump and Dance” by the Carnaby, and “Ringo I Love You” by Bonnie Jo Mason (aka Cher). Our aim is to discuss what makes these songs interesting, ineffable, or even intolerable. We place special emphasis on the “moments” in these songs where, perhaps, a new interpretation will emerge from. A close look at song structure is also present in our discussions. If that sounds academic, maybe it is a little bit, but we like to keep the analysis in the spirit of the songs we speak of – which means we drink some spirits (for Erik, it’s bourbon, for Weldon, it’s Stambecco) – and that means by the third song, things can get a little wild. Basically, we talk about rock!
Australia