011 - 'Pleasant Dreams' Side A Deep Dive

011 - 'Pleasant Dreams' Side A Deep Dive

Hey kids! Welcome to Episode 011 of CJ Says: A Ramones Podcast. This week, we drop the needle on the Ramones' sixth studio album, Pleasant Dreams, which might just be the most underrated record of their entire career. Before we begin, a huge thank you to everyone who’s already subscribed to the show over on Patreon. Your enthusiasm, support, and belief in this little corner of the Ramones universe continues to inspire us every single week. This podcast simply would not be gathering the momentum it has without you. So, thank you! As for Pleasant Dreams... it's an LP that’s spent decades living in the long shadow cast by the records that came before it. Too polished for some. Not punk enough for others. Yet hidden beneath surface of the album’s glossy production lies a collection of pop punk classics that still carry the unmistakable DNA of the Ramones. Come with us now as we dissect an album that deserves another listen, another conversation, and maybe—just maybe—a little reevaluation… What are your favourite moments from Pleasant Dreams? Which tracks hit the right marks for you? And for all those flipping the record with us over on www.patreon.com/cjsays, [https://www.patreon.com/cjsays,] does Side B continue the momentum set by Side A? More importantly, where does Pleasant Dreams sit alongside the Ramones albums we’ve explored so far? Let's drop the needle and find out!! ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

010 - Bob Gruen Interview

There are photographers who take pictures, and there are those who capture culture itself in their images. Bob Gruen firmly falls into the latter group. In this week’s guest interview, we sit down with the legendary rock 'n’ roll documentarian whose images helped define the look and spirit of 1970s New York - and beyond. While other photographers exclusively chased stars, Bob Gruen was drawn to the raw energy of downtown Manhattan and the Lower East Side, where he documented all the artists busy reinventing rock 'n’ roll—including the Ramones!! What made Bob's work so special wasn't just the access that he gained to these punk rock pioneers; it was the moments that he captured. His relaxed, no-nonsense approach enabled him to portray these artists as they really were, in their natural habitat. In the process, he created images that feel less like portraits and more like moments forever suspended in time. So join us, Pinheads, as we explore Bob Gruen's remarkable story, his connection to the Ramones, and his lifelong belief that rock 'n' roll ain’t just about the music—it's about freedom, authenticity, and being truly present when something truly extraordinary happens… As always, thank you checking out the podcast. We really appreciate all the support. Head over to www.patreon.com/cjsays to unlock all of our exclusive bonus content. And visit here for more info on Bob Gruen, including photo prints & featured articles etc: https://www.bobgruen.com/ ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

009 - 'End of the Century' Side A Deep Dive

In Episode 009 of CJ Says: A Ramones Podcast, we step into the strange and fascinating world of the Ramones’ fifth studio album, 'End of the Century' — an album forever suspended between the neon glow of pure pop ambition and the battered leather jacket of punk rock purity. It’s 1980. The Ramones have already helped redraw the map of modern music, and now they find themselves in the hands of eccentric production wizard Phil Spector, chasing a bigger sound, bigger audiences, and perhaps something even more elusive: mainstream success. What emerged was their most commercial sounding album to date — and also one of their most divisive. Was 'End of the Century' a betrayal of the stripped-back simplicity that made the Ramones legends and pioneers of punk? Or, was it the logical conclusion of a band who always hid their love of 1960s pop music beneath distortion and speed? From the opening nostalgic bombast of 'Do You Remember Rock and Roll Radio?' to the unlikely symphonic beauty of 'Baby, I Love You' and the eternal adolescent rallying cry of 'Rock and Roll High School', this is a record that continues to provoke arguments long after its last chord fades… In this Deep Dive episode, we’ll explore the illustrious 'End of the Century' recording sessions, whether or not Phil Spector's towering Wall of Sound was a good match for the sonic highways journeyed by the Ramones, the absence of Tommy Ramone from the studio and production dials, and the dissension that arose amongst the band's fanbase after punk's most obstinate outsiders initiated an all-out assault on mainstream music. It’s the end of the seventies…it’s the End of the Century… So plug in and turn it up! If you want to hear to the Side B Deep Dive and stream the rest of our bonus content, head over to www.patreon.com/cjsays ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

008 - Kid Congo Powers Interview

When the topic of punk rock comes up in conversation, the Ramones are often at the forefront of the discussion. Their raw energy and unique sound changed the landscape of music indefinitely. In Episode 008 of CJ Says, we enjoy a fascinating conversation with Kid Congo Powers - former president of the West Coast Ramones Fan Club and guitarist in The Gun Club, The Cramps & Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds - in which Kid shares his personal encounters with the band and the impact that they had upon him and countless others... Here, Kid recalls the early days of punk, the excitement of waiting for that first Ramones’ record, and the thrill of seeing the band live for the first time. He also shares how the Ramones were different from other bands at that time, in that they were accessible, encouraging and cultivating a genuine connection with their fanbase. The duties that Kid undertook as President of the West Coast Ramones Fan Club can be seen as an early form of social media; he facilitated interactions among Ramones fans in a pre-internet world, and the grassroots efforts of people like Kid played a significant role in promoting the Ramones music early in their career. This sense of community surrounding the band remained prevalent until the end - it’s even still evident today!!! Throughout this conversation, Kid emphasizes the lessons that he learned from interacting with the Ramones early on. Their approachability and humility set a standard for how musicians should engage with their audience - it's where Kid learnt the importance of treating fans with respect. Connection and community are central themes throughout Kid's narrative. For him, punk was not just about the music; it meant finding a tribe of like-minded individuals, forming meaningful relationships and a place to belong. For Kid, the Ramones fostered an environment where fans felt valued and included, and this is something he carried into his own musical career. We’ve already enjoyed some really great conversations in the short lifespan of this podcast, and this episode might just be our favourite so far. We hope you enjoy it as much as we did. If you want to hear the second half of it, and stream the rest of our exclusive bonus content, head over to www.patreon.com/cjsays Thank you to Kid Congo Powers for this amazing conversation!!! ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

007 - 'Road to Ruin' Side A Deep Dive

Road to Ruin was the last of the "Big Four" Ramones’ records. This album marked a turning point for the band. With new drummer Marky Ramone stepping in to fill Tommy’s shoes, and Tommy & Ed Stasium manning the production dials, the sound of the band transformed in their quest for commercial success. The energy was still raw, but by this point the Ramones were also pushing boundaries and experimenting with new styles, and this album showcases their growth as songwriters & musicians. As we reflect on the band’s legacy and development, it’s clear that Road to Ruin was a pivotal moment in the evolution of the Ramones’ sound. What’s your favourite track on this side of the record? Be sure to add it to your own ongoing Ramones playlist. And join us over on www.patreon.com/cjsays to stream the Side B Deep Dive along with the rest of our exclusive bonus content. Ramones Forever!!! ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.