The Ledge #718: Record Store Day

The Ledge #718: Record Store Day

In the days following last month’s Record Store Day extravaganza I spent hours digitizing a number of titles I purchased that day. I also went through my archives to grab tracks from the many reissues that came out. A couple of weeks later, I was all set to do a show based on this work. Unfortunately (for the show at least), I had a last minute family function to attend, so I had to set that folder aside for a future episode. Well, the future is now. In my eyes, it was a great Record Store Day as there were plenty of rarities that I was excited to add to my collection. And as I don’t go after the pop titles that so many are standing in line to find these days, I was pretty successful in my efforts. There’s a shelved album by power pop maestro Tommy Keene. There’s a live album by The Muffs. Soul Jazz Records has another fabulous compilation. There’s expanded editions of a ton of classic albums. There’s something here for everyone. Well, everyone who has taste. What was your favorite Record Store Day release? For more info, including setlists, head to http://scotthudson.blogspot.com [http://scotthudson.blogspot.com]

The Ledge #717: 70s Punk Debut Albums

With this being a holiday weekend, I was determined to do a very listener-friendly “fun” episode. Of course, when I say listener-friendly, I’m not talking about the sort of nonsense on commercial radio. Not, what that means for The Ledge is the sort of legendary bands and songs that all Ledge listeners enjoy…or should. The actual theme came together this past Sunday when I was listening to the first Stiff Little Fingers album, Inflammable Material. It was at that moment that I decided that I was only going to listen to debut albums this week. That idea naturally transformed into a theme for tonight’s show. There’s nothing but the first full-length releases of 70’s punk rock bands. These are primarily records that impacted me in a way that few records of the next 45 years would. From that first Ramones album that arrived at my house when I was suffering from the chicken pox through not only the true legends of that era to a record I purchased simply because I loved that the band was called The Drones. Obviously, this is a theme that I will return to quite often in the next few months. I mean, come on, every band has a debut album! What’s your favorite of tonight’s picks? For more info, including setlists, head to http://scotthudson.blogspot.com [http://scotthudson.blogspot.com]

The Ledge #716: Covers

The “covers” folder is full. Overfull, to be honest. So tonight’s show is a supersized show of great remakes, and many of them are quite surprising. The Tubs covering Metallica? Social Distortion doing Chris Isaak? White Fence remaking Simply Red? The Hollywood Stars retaking their own song back from Kiss? Hell, even Ty Segall’s version of The Doors could be considered a surprise. There are also quite a few more conventional remakes here tonight, but each and every one is what the kids today call a “banger”. (Oof, remind me to never use that term again.) I’m sure any Ledge listener will find a favorite. What’s your highlight? For more info, including setlists, head to http://scotthudson.blogspot.com [http://scotthudson.blogspot.com]

The Ledge #715: New Releases Pt. 2

On last week’s new release episode I highlighted an entire section to the new album by The Sleeveens. This week I do the same thing to my good friends High On Stress, but instead of adding my own description of how great they are I’m going to leave it to the legendary Twin/Tone Records founder Peter Jesperson – “With album #6 – Still Here – Minneapolis band High On Stress deliver their finest work yet. Full of tightly written, smart songs that stick in your head. It rocks like mad, sounds great, and when it’s over, I just want to play it again.” The High On Stress segment is just the tip of the iceberg for this month’s Rum Bar Records segment, as there’s another entire set of fantastic new rock and roll from that fabulous label. There’s also some tracks from the latest Dam-nations compilation, and a few tunes from our friends at Stardumb Records and Spaghetty Town Records. There’s the latest covers project from Rob Moss and Skin-Tight Skin. Plus all kinds of punk, power pop, and good ol’ fashioned garage rock! For more info, including setlists, head to http://scotthudson.blogspot.com [http://scotthudson.blogspot.com]

The Ledge #714: New Releases Pt. 1

After a week off due to a family meal, The Ledge is back this week with the first part of the May new release series. And what a show to kick off the month. A good portion of the show consists of submissions from bands (Numb Surprise, Ricky Rochelle, etc.) and labels (Big Stir Records, I-94 Recordings, Spaghetty Town Records, etc.) that regularly support the show. Also included is a couple of great tunes from the ripping new album from Minneapolis’ Fret Rattles! But there are also a number of new records that I’ve been pumped to hear for quite some time. The second album by The Sleeveens proves that their debut was no fluke. The new White Fence album is a power pop surprise. Drakulas make a triumphant return. And Weird Nightmare is a new project from Metz leader Alex Edkins. Plus, there’s some great punk, power pop, and garage rock from many all over the world. What new records are you digging the most? For more info, including setlists, head to http://scotthudson.blogspot.com [http://scotthudson.blogspot.com]