The Hustle

Stiff Records founder and label chief Dave Robinson returns this week to discuss the Madness "documentary" he directed back in 1981 called Take It Or Leave It that has recently been restored and released on DVD/Blu-Ray and is currently playing special screenings in theaters across the UK. Dave made this film - part scripted narrative/part origin story documentary - 45 years ago as a way of telling the story of how the band came together during their first wave of massive success. This fascinating piece of rock history shows the seven distinct personalities of the Nutty Boys as well as some of the studios and small clubs where they got their start. Not to mention the gray and somewhat depressing UK of the early 80s. The film has been newly restored in gorgeous 4k and available for purchase for the first time. He's also hoping to get more special screenings scheduled around the world. If you care about Madness, you have to see this movie! 

 
https://www.madness.co.uk/2026/07/30/madness-take-it-or-leave-it-1981-film-restored-by-bfi/
https://www.bfi.org.uk/bfi-film-releases/madness-take-it-or-leave-it-4k-restoration
https://www.patreon.com/c/thehustlepod

Songwriter Bruce Cockburn remains one of Canada's finest musical exports. His unique vision and approach to songs has been there since his debut album in 1970. Always more interested in talking about the state of the world than the state of the heart, Bruce has recorded thought-provoking classics like "Lovers in a Dangerous Time", "Wondering Where the Lions Are" and "If I Had a Rocket Launcher." He joins us this week to talk about his new album (his 26th!) called The Blood of Others, which sees him covering songs he grew up on in a stripped back style. To honor Bruce, we're joined this week by our friend Ben Montgomery, host of the Records Revisited Podcast (and the biggest Bruce fan we know). It's fascinating to hear how this legend's mind works. Enjoy!

www.brucecockburn.com
www.patreon.com/c/thehustlepod

In memory of former guest, Donnie Iris, who passed away, October 26

We have a twofer this week for the deepest of music lovers. First up is Danny Klein, bassist for the incredible J. Geils Band. Legend is they were one of the greatest live bands of all time and were finally starting to have huge hits in the early 80s when lead singer Peter Wolf left for a solo career. Danny tells us about the band's history and what he's up to these days. Then things get interesting. In the early 80s there was a great (though largely unknown) post-punk band out of Rochester New York called New Math. They released a couple albums, but then they decided to completely change their sound, which led to a name change. Now known as the Jet Black Berries, the band had more in common with groups like Social Distortion and Jason and Scorchers. Unfortunately, as great as both bands were, neither lit up the charts and the group faded away. Thanks to a remastering and re release campaign by Propeller Sound Recordings, the band is seeing some new interest. Guitarist Gary Trainer and drummer Roy Stein tell us all about it this week. Enjoy! 

 
www.jgeilsband.com
www.thejetblackberries.bandcamp.com
www.propellersoundrecordings.com
www.patreon.com/c/thehustlepod

Out of the gate, De La Soul changed the rules of hip-hop with their revolutionary debut album, 3 Feet High and Rising. The D.A.I.S.Y. Age was just starting to blossom when Trugoy, Posdnuos, and Mace (with the help of producer Prince Paul), began deconstructing the movement they had just started. Although they released several incredible rap albums after that, they never stayed in one place for long and continue to push the limits of what hip-hop can be, but never as much as those early days. Were they "bullied" into going in different directions? Were they not adequately displaying "black masculinity"? Author Austin McCoy's new book dissects their career, what it's meant in the black community, and how it influenced him to become who he is. If you were impacted by De La Soul back in 1989, this book might tell part of your story too. Enjoy! 

www.austincmccoy.com

www.simonandschuster.com/authors/Austin-McCoy/212730757

www.patreon.com/c/thehustlepod