Music Maps Podcast

Latest Episodes:

65 - The Beatles - John & Paul - A Love Story In Songs with Ian Leslie (Liverpool) May 24, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Music Maps we finally talk about The Beatles as we welcome writer Ian Leslie to discuss his new book on Faber: 'John & Paul: A Love Story In Songs'.

We focus on their early years from meeting at Woolton Village Fete in July 1957, with Paul McCartney joining the Quarrymen shortly after.

The dynamic in the Quarrymen changed after Paul joined with John Lennon no longer the total leader as before - the pair bonded over their shared love of imported rock & roll from America. Before long they were writing songs as a duo.

John & Paul both lost their mothers as teenagers & became an unspoken bond between the two & their friendship deepens as their songwriting blossoms.

George Harrison joins the band but rather than coming between John & Paul, his presence actually reinforces their bond. Stuart Sutcliffe & Pete Best also join before The Beatles head to Hamburg for the first time in August 1960. They come of age in Hamburg both in terms of stagecraft and musicianship - playing 6 hours a night on the Reeperbahn.

Upon returning to Liverpool, the Beatles soon turn from unknowns into the leaders of the beat scene in the city & they make their debut at The Cavern in February of 1961.

Paul McCartney moves to bass following the departure of Stuart Sutcliffe & Brian Epstein comes in to manage the band at the end of 1961.

Following a failed audition at Decca Records, the band come to the attention of George Martin at EMI & their debut release Love Me Do follows in October 1962.

It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link: ko-fi.com/musicmaps

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it.

You can see our upcoming live events here: https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/live/

Instagram: @rocknrollbookclube17

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Hosted by Mark Hart & Simon Cardwell

Written & Produced by Simon Cardwell

Edited, mixed & spruced up by Andy Maxwell

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

64 - Mudhoney & Superfuzz Bigmuff with Steve Turner May 17, 2025

Show notes

In this episode we welcome back Mudhoney guitarist Steve Turner & pick things up with the formation of Mudhoney - first Mark Arm joins Steve’s band The Thrown Ups & they meet drummer Dan Peters soon after.

Matt Lukin joins soon after to complete the lineup & Mudhoney come into being on New Years Day of 1988. Their first gig follows in April 1988 & SubPop Records forms soon after.

Touch Me I’m Sick comes out in August of 1988 & a split single with Sonic Youth follows & then the now iconic Superfuzz Bigmuff EP follows on SubPop in October.

Various tours follow - first on the West Coast of the US & a show in January of 1989 at the Satyricon Nightclub in Portland (notable for the appearance of Nirvana as the opening act). We discuss the bands interactions with Nirvana & Kurt Cobain.

Mudhoney become the first Seattle band to come to the UK, opening the tour in Newcastle & also the first Seattle band to record a John Peel session.

Another notable gig takes place in May of 1989 at the School For Oriental & African Studies in London with Soundgarden as opening act - the show ends in a stage invasion with part of the stage collapsing.

Back in Seattle, Mudhoney join Nirvana & Tad at the Sub Pop Showcase at the Moore Theatre in Seattle on June 9th 1989, the coming out party for the whole Seattle scene in the US.

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it.

You can see our upcoming live events here: https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/live/

Instagram: @rocknrollbookclube17

Blue Sky: @musicmaps.bsky.social

X: @simonmusicmaps

Facebook: E17rockbookclub

Hosted by Mark Hart & Simon Cardwell

Written & Produced by Simon Cardwell

Edited, mixed & spruced up by Andy Maxwell

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

63 - New York City with Photographer, Musician & Writer Ali Smith May 10, 2025

Show notes

This week we welcome Ali Smith, a New York photographer, musician, and writer of the memoir 'The Ballad of Speedball Baby.'

The conversation explores Ali's formative musical influences growing up in New York, her experiences in the punk scene, particularly at the iconic CBGBs, and the evolution of her band Speedball Baby.

We discuss the challenges of being a woman in a male-dominated music industry, the impact of signing with a major label (the band end up on MCA) & what happens when that doesn’t necessarily go to plan.

Punk has often been portrayed through a very male-dominated lens, especially in music - we discuss the importance of female voices in music, back then & today, and how the experience of being in a band differed for a woman.

Ali tells us how the Lower East Side of New York has changed from back then - in the 80s & 90s it was a cheap place to live which created art & culture, today it is a very different place.

Ali is also an accomplished photographer, we touch upon her photographic career from her early photos at CBGBs & other New York venues to more recent book projects & newspaper assignments.

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it.

You can see our upcoming live events here: https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/live/

Instagram: @rocknrollbookclube17

Blue Sky: @musicmaps.bsky.social

X: @simonmusicmaps

Facebook: E17rockbookclub

Hosted by Mark Hart & Simon Cardwell

Written & Produced by Simon Cardwell

Edited, mixed & spruced up by Andy Maxwell

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

62 - The Fall with Funky Si May 03, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Music Maps, we welcome back Simon Wolstencroft, the former drummer of The Fall. His book You Can Drum But You Can't Hide is out now on Route Publishing.

Funky Si joined The Fall in 1986 after his previous band The Weeds had opened for them. Following a meeting at Mark E. Smith's house in Prestwich it became official.

'Hey Luciani' becomes the first Fall track he works on with producer Ian Broudie in Amazon Studios in Liverpool & his first gig follows at Folkestone Leas Cliff Hall in June 1986.

Sessions for the Bend Sinister album follow with John Leckie at Abbey Road, followed by Simon's first US tour. A one off gig with U2 at Elland Road in Leeds follows & non-album single There’s a Ghost In My House becomes the highest charting Fall single to date shortly after.

Hit The North follows close behind in October of 1987 & the next album is The Frenz Experiment in 1988, with I Am Kurious Oranj & Shift Work albums following.

With their commercial peak in the view mirror, Simon's final gigs with The Fall take place in 1997 & he leaves the band shortly after.

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it.

You can see our upcoming live events here: https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/live/

Instagram: @rocknrollbookclube17

Blue Sky: @musicmaps.bsky.social

X: @simonmusicmaps

Facebook: E17rockbookclub

Hosted by Mark Hart & Simon Cardwell

Written & Produced by Simon Cardwell

Edited, mixed & spruced up by Andy Maxwell

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

61 - The Rolling Stones with Gered Mankowitz Apr 26, 2025

Show notes

This week we are joined by legendary photographer Gered Mankowitz to discuss his time with the Rolling Stones, focusing on 1965 to 1967.

Gered shares how he entered the world of music photography via a meeting with Peter Sellers, later opening his own studio in Central London, aged 17.

A photograph of Marianne Faithfull led to a meeting with Andrew Loog Oldham which in turn led to meeting the Rolling Stones.

Gered’s first session with the Rolling Stones takes place in Masons Yard close to his London studio, a picture from this session becomes the front cover for the Out Of Our Heads album.

He then became the bands photographer for the next 2 years - joining them on US tours, recording sessions, Ready Steady Go appearances & an infamous performance at the London Palladium.

While on this US Tour, Gered spends a few days in Arizona riding horses with Keith Richards & in 1966 took photographs of each member of the band at home. Many of these photos went unpublished until Gered’s new book - The Stones - Rare & Unseen.

We touch on the change in Brian Jones over the time Gered spent with the band leading to the classic cover photo for 1967’s Between The Buttons album taken on Primrose Hill - one of the iconic photos of 1960s London.

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it.

You can see our upcoming live events here: https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/live/

Instagram: @rocknrollbookclube17

Blue Sky: @musicmaps.bsky.social

X: @simonmusicmaps

Facebook: E17rockbookclub

Hosted by Mark Hart & Simon Cardwell

Written & Produced by Simon Cardwell

Edited, mixed & spruced up by Andy Maxwell

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

60 - The Spice Girls with Michael Cragg (Maidenhead) Apr 19, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Music Maps we are joined by Penderyn Prize winning writer Michael Cragg to dig into the history and impact of the Spice Girls.

We explore their formation in 1994 via an audition process & their early days sharing a house in Maidenhead. Originally they are known as Touch & original member Michelle Stephenson leaves after 3 months & Emma Bunton completes the lineup.

They part company with original handlers Chris & Bob Herbert (also known for Bros, 5ive, Bewitched & Hearsay) & bring in Simon Fuller.

The Spice Girls sign to Virgin Records in 1996 'Wannabe' becomes their debut single. The subsequent debut album quickly breaks 20 million in sales.

We also touch on the concept of 'Girl Power', who came up with 'zig-a-zig-ah', the BRIT Awards appearance, the huge tours, their significant success in America, the Spice World movie, Geri Halliwell's departure, the struggles surrounding their final album 'Forever' & more.

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it.

You can see our upcoming live events here: https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/live/

Instagram: @rocknrollbookclube17

Blue Sky: @musicmaps.bsky.social

X: @simonmusicmaps

Facebook: E17rockbookclub

Hosted by Mark Hart & Simon Cardwell

Written & Produced by Simon Cardwell

Edited, mixed & spruced up by Andy Maxwell

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

59 - Christine McVie & Fleetwood Mac with Lesley-Ann Jones (Smethwick) Apr 12, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Music Maps, hosts Mark Hart and Simon Cardwell welcome back Lesley-Ann Jones to discuss her latest book on Christine McVie from Fleetwood Mac.

The conversation explores McVie's early life, her musical influences, and her journey through the music industry, including her early career with Chicken Shack and her later success with Fleetwood Mac. The hosts delve into the dynamics within the band, the making of the iconic Rumours album, and the personal struggles faced by McVie and her bandmates.

We touch on her early time with Fleetwood Mac when they were a very different band to what they would become, how Lindsey Buckingham & Stevie Nicks come to join, the excess the band become known for, the later success of the Tango in the Night album, her decision to leave Fleetwood Mac, her later appearances with the band including the 1993 appearance at Bill Clinton's inauguration, the bands induction into the rock & roll hall of fame & her colossal success with Songbird, Everywhere, Little Lies & more.

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it.

You can see our upcoming live events here: https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/live/

Instagram: @rocknrollbookclube17

Blue Sky: @musicmaps.bsky.social

X: @simonmusicmaps

Facebook: E17rockbookclub

Hosted by Mark Hart & Simon Cardwell

Written & Produced by Simon Cardwell

Edited, mixed & spruced up by Andy Maxwell

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

58 - David Bowie, The Rolling Stones, Bob Marley, Prince, The Spice Girls & more with legendary music PR Alan Edwards (Soho) Apr 05, 2025

Show notes

This week we are joined by legendary music PR Alan Edwards - we discuss Alan's journey from the early days of punk in London, seeing the Sex Pistols at the Nashville, The Stranglers & their infamous Battersea Park gig, promoting Blondie in Britain, visiting Prince at Paisley Park, playing football with Bob Marley & an early PR gig with The Who,

Alan went on to work extensively with The Rolling Stones, starting in the 70s and David Bowie in the early 80s for over 30 years - from the huge commercial success of the Let's Dance years, being presented a BRIT by Tony Blair, his 90s years playing smaller venues before his iconic comeback gig at Glastonbury in 2000 & his final surprise release The Next Day in 2013.

We go into how Alan came to work with the Spice Girls & later Amy Winehouse as well as the unexpected connection between Jon Bon Jovi & Gordon Brown.

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it.

You can see our upcoming live events here: https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/live/

Instagram: @rocknrollbookclube17

Blue Sky: @musicmaps.bsky.social

X: @simonmusicmaps

Facebook: E17rockbookclub

Hosted by Mark Hart & Simon Cardwell

Written & Produced by Simon Cardwell

Edited, mixed & spruced up by Andy Maxwell

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

57 - Buzzcocks with Steve Diggle (Manchester) Mar 29, 2025

Show notes

This week we welcome Steve Diggle, original founder member of Buzzcocks, to discuss his memoir 'Autonomy: My Life as a Buzzcock'. The conversation explores Steve's early life in Manchester - growing up in the suburb of Bradford, the influence of music in the 60s, and the formation of Buzzcocks amidst the early UK punk scene.

Steve shares personal anecdotes about his childhood, the impact of hearing bands like The Beatles, The Kinks and The Rolling Stones, and the magic of performing live for the first time at the Lesser Free Trade Hall in Manchester.

We go into on the early days of the Buzzcocks with Pete Shelley, Howard Devoto & John Maher following their remarkable meeting at the first Sex Pistols gig at the Manchester Free Trade Hall. The recording of their iconic Spiral Scratch EP with Martin Hannett, the impact of Howard Devoto's departure from the band & Steve switching to guitar, the White Riot Tour with the Clash, the Slits & the Jam, the Screen on the Green gig in Islington with the Sex Pistols & signing to United Artists with the guidance of Andrew Lauder & more.

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it.

You can see our upcoming live events here: https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/live/

Instagram: @rocknrollbookclube17

Blue Sky: @musicmaps.bsky.social

X: @simonmusicmaps

Facebook: E17rockbookclub

Hosted by Mark Hart & Simon Cardwell

Written & Produced by Simon Cardwell

Edited, mixed & spruced up by Andy Maxwell

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

56 - Punk Diaries - The Clash, The Slits, Sex Pistols, X-Ray Spex & more with Angela Jaeger Mar 22, 2025

Show notes

Angela Jaeger is our guest to discuss her unique Punk Diaries 1977-1981 book documenting her experiences in the punk rock scene in New York & London. Angela shares her journey growing up in the East Village, her encounters with the likes of Lydia Lunch, Joe Strummer, Viv Albertine & John Belushi.

She was right in the thick of the vibrant New York punk scene & became a regular visitor to CBGB's & Max's Kansas City. Angela later moved to London & befriended the Clash, visited Kings Road & even stayed on X-Ray Spex couch.

Back in New York, Angela hosted a party for The Clash following their NYC debut at the Palladium & even ended up on stage with the band briefly. We also touch on the legendary Tier 3 nightclub - Angela's sister was the booker & helped to bring the likes of A Certain Ratio, the Raincoats, Pop Group, The Slits, and Young Marble Giants to the venue.

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it.

You can see our upcoming live events here: https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/live/

Instagram: @rocknrollbookclube17

Blue Sky: @musicmaps.bsky.social

X: @simonmusicmaps

Facebook: E17rockbookclub

Hosted by Mark Hart & Simon Cardwell

Written & Produced by Simon Cardwell

Edited, mixed & spruced up by Andy Maxwell

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.