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E25: Jordan's Story + Goth + Bay City Rollers with Cathi Unsworth Apr 26, 2019

Show notes

In this week's episode, Mark Pringle and Barney Hoskyns are joined by special guest Cathi Unsworth to discuss collaborating with punk icon Jordan on the autobiographical Defying Gravity: Jordan's Story. They consider the latter's influence on the London punk scene, in which women found a voice and carved out a space for themselves they hadn't previously been afforded.

A long piece she wrote about the '80s Goth scene leads Cathi to reminisce about her early days on Sounds and Melody Maker. Her interviews with the late Dick Dale and with Ozzy progeny Kelly Osbourne provide the basis for discussion of Pulp Fiction and The Osbournes.

Discussion of the Cranberries and their late singer Dolores O'Riordan precedes a clip from the week's audio interview, with disgraced Bay City Rollers manager Tam Paton. From his bungalow inside a barbed-wire-walled garden, Paton complains that nobody sends him Christmas cards any more and explains why the Rollers broke up.

Finally, Mark and Barney talk through their favourite pieces from the week's library additions, including a 1966 Rave magazine feature on drugs ("a drag on a drug is still a drag"), Paul Morley falling for all-female hard rockers Girlschool, and Richard C. Walls on the "total bust" that was Stevie Wonder's Journey Through the Secret Life of Plants.

Cathi Unsworth's new book Defying Gravity: Jordan's Story is available for pre-order now from Amazon. Find out more on Cathi's website, cathiunsworth.co.uk.

Produced by Jasper Murison-Bowie

Pieces discussed: History of '80s goth, Dick Dale, Kelly Osbourne, the Cranberries, Bay City Rollers manager Tam Paton, Drugs: Yes or No?, Sun Ra part 2, The Rolling Stones' Exile on Main Street, The Slits, Stevie Wonder, Girlschool, David Sylvian, Steve Harley, The Ink Spots, James Blunt and Dusty Springfield

E24: Al Green + Anita Pallenberg audio + Thundercat Apr 19, 2019

Show notes

Mark Pringle and Jasper Murison-Bowie explore what's new in the RBP archive this week, starting with featured artist Al Green. Three classic interviews take them through the various stages of the soul legend's career, including his gospel period and his return to secular music in more recent years.

They then discuss featured writer Ann Moses, whose editorship of Tiger Beat magazine and contributions to the NME led her to interview the Beach Boys, the Monkees and many more, as described in her 2017 memoir Meow! My Life with Tiger Beat's Teen Idols.

Despite his temporary absence, Barney Hoskyns makes an appearance on the podcast via the week's audio interview, which features him asking the late Anita Pallenberg about her experience of being a rock muse. Mark and Jasper listen to Anita's thoughts on how rock's gentlemen still prefer blondes, how they sometimes get more than they bargained for, and how things still aren't close to equal in such relationships.

To round things out, your hosts present their selections from the week's other additions to the library. The pair discuss everything from a 1964 Billboard report on 'The Jamaica Ska' to an all-night graduation party in Detroit that features possibly the first print mention of the MC5 – and from Sun Ra's cosmology to Sacha Baron Cohen's Ali G, with much else in between. Finally, a discussion of the excellent Thundercat is prompted by a 2017 review of the man live in London.

Produced by Jasper Murison-Bowie

Pieces discussed: Al Green, Al Greener, Al Greenest, Beach Boys, The Monkees, Meow! My Life with Tiger Beat's Teen Idols, Anita Pallenberg audio, The Jamaica Ska, The Who, All-Night Graduation Party, Sun Ra, King Crimson, Bad Company, Bob Marley, Joy Division, Peter Stringfellow, Ali G, The Roots, Lenny Bruce and Thundercat

E23: Todd Rundgren audio + Orange Juice + Danny Goldberg Apr 12, 2019

Show notes

This week, Barney, Mark and Jasper listen to excerpts from Bill DeMain's 1997 interview with the wizard, the true star that is Todd Rundgren. Subjects include "online music delivery" and the challenge of originality in songwriting.

They then move on to the week's free feature, about Orange Juice and Postcard Records. Danny Goldberg, former manager of Nirvana, is the featured writer for the week, so the boys discuss '70s pieces on Alice Cooper and Led Zeppelin and a memoir of attending high school with the late Gil Scott-Heron.

Highlights among the new RBP library additions include pieces on Gerry & the Pacemakers, Yoko Ono on saving John Lennon from chauvinism, Depeche Mode, Foo Fighters, Lenny Waronker and the Stooges. Jasper rounds out the selection with discussion of Mel C, Clipse and Lauryn Hill.

Produced by Jasper Murison-Bowie

Pieces discussed: Todd Rundgren audio, Edwyn Collins, Hope & Despair, Postcard Records, Alice Cooper, Backstage with Led Zeppelin, schooldays with Gil Scott-Heron, Gerry & the Pacemakers, Alice Cooper live @ Shrine, Yoko Ono, Joy Division, Depeche Mode, Foo Fighters, Lenny Waronker, The Stooges, Stones for Glastonbury, Mel C's Reason + Clipse's Lord Willin', Cheryl Cole's shoulder and Lauryn Hill live

E22: Joy Division special + Dizzee Rascal audio with Jon Savage Apr 05, 2019

Show notes

In this week's episode, Barney Hoskyns and Mark Pringle are joined by Jon Savage to talk about his new Joy Division book This Searing Light, the Sun and Everything Else. Jon tells the story of moving to Manchester and getting to know the band plus Tony Wilson and Martin Hannett – and speaks about how seeing Joy Division live haunts him to this day.

The three men listen to excerpts from a 2007 audio interview with Dizzee Rascal, in which the breakout Grime star and interviewer Maureen Paton take a taxi ride through his old East London haunts. Dizzee tells Maureen about how music shaped his life, how London knife crime is influenced by skunk – and about getting stabbed in Ayia Napa.

Mark highlights a number of interesting new additions to the library, including pieces on the Yardbirds playing the Crawdaddy Club in Richmond, George Harrison in full "mystic" mode, a scathing review of David Bowie's 'Young Americans' and Johnny Rotten talking right after the Sex Pistols split.

Jon Savage's new Joy Division book This Searing Light, the Sun and Everything Else is available now, including from Rough Trade.

Hosted by Mark Pringle and Barney Hoskyns

Produced by Jasper Murison-Bowie

Pieces discussed: Joy Division's Unknown Pleasures, Joy Division: From Safety to Where?, Martin Hammett interview, David Bowie: The Gender Bender, Fanzines: Pure Pop Art, Jon Savage interview, Dizzee Rascal audio interview, Yardbirds, George Harrison, David Bowie's 'Young Americans', Johnny Rotten, Japan, Mickie Most and Wet Wet Wet

E21: Tribute to Scott Walker + Jimi Hendrix + ABC with Keith Altham Mar 29, 2019

Show notes

In this week's episode, Barney Hoskyns and Mark Pringle are joined by special guest Keith Altham to pay tribute to the late Scott Walker, an artist he interviewed many times for New Musical Express. They consider Walker's early years as a teen idol and as a Walker Brother, followed by his bold '60s solo albums and his radical re-emergence in the '80s. Keith talks about touring with Scott and Jimi Hendrix – and about introducing the NME to the concept of "humour".

The three of them listen to a clip from an interview with Martin Fry and Mark White of '80s icons ABC about Trevor Horn's production of debut album The Lexicon of Love. Mark then introduces selections from the week's new additions to the RBP library, including Mick Jagger talking to Dawn James in 1965, Anne Briggs "zooming down a whirlpool to annihilation", David Bowie's Ziggy Stardust album, My Bloody Valentine live at London's Clarendon, John Mellencamp's self-confessed status as a rock cliché and Salt-n-Pepa being denied their rightful place in hip-hop's history. Barney rounds it all off with tributes to writers Steven Wells and Mick Farren.

Hosted by Mark Pringle and Barney Hoskyns

Produced by Jasper Murison-Bowie

Pieces discussed: Keith's articles on The Walker Brothers, Scott Walker and Scott hiding away; Scott Walker by Chris Welch, Scott Walker by Ian McDonald, Scott Walker by Richard Cook, Scott Walker by Graham Reid, Mick Jagger, Anne Briggs, David Bowie's Ziggy Stardust, My Bloody Valentine @ The Clarendon, 10 Questions for John Mellencamp, Salt-N-Pepa, T. Graham Brown, Steven Wells tributes, Mick Farren tributes

E20: Van Morrison + Pink Floyd + Steve Earle with Tony Stewart Mar 22, 2019

Show notes

This week, Barney Hoskyns and Mark Pringle welcome special guest Tony Stewart to revisit the glory days of the NME – and Tony's notoriously tricky interviews with Van Morrison and Freddie Mercury. They then hear about the time Tony saw the first-ever performance of Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon, brought to a standstill by technical difficulties within half an hour of starting.

The trio then tune into clips from a 1996 audio interview with Steve Earle, following his recovery from heroin and crack addiction. They also discuss his six (yes, six) marriages and his enduring influence as a country rebel.

After Barney comments on Lana Del Rey – the featured artist in the week's Free On RBP section – Mark rounds up highlights from the new pieces in the archive, starting with an interview with Ken Brown, member of the pre-Beatles Quarrymen, followed by articles on Lulu & the Luvvers, L.A. mogul Lou Adler, Orange Juice's Edwyn Collins, Sinead O'Connor's prescient comments on Catholicism... and the '90s hip hop wars between the East and West coasts.

Hosted by Mark Pringle and Barney Hoskyns

Produced by Jasper Murison-Bowie

Pieces discussed: Van Morrison, Freddie Mercury, Pink Floyd, Steve Earle audio interview, Lana Del Rey's 'Video Games', Lana live in L.A., Lana's Lust for Life, The Beatle who lost out, Lulu & the Luvvers, Lou Adler, Sinead O'Connor, Biggie, Tupac and east coast vs. west coast and NME's C96 tape.

E19: Morrissey + Minnie Riperton + Madonna with James Medd Mar 15, 2019

Show notes

Joined by RBP contributor James Medd, Barney Hoskyns and Mark Pringle hear tales of interviewing Morrissey and Joanna Newsom for Esquire and of life at The Word. Paying tribute to drummer Hal Blaine, one of the great American session players, the trio discuss L.A.'s legendary Wrecking Crew and marvel at just how many hits they played on. Talk then moves on to the week’s free feature, Lambchop, via another great session player, Charlie McCoy – a stellar guest on their forthcoming album.

James, Mark and Barney hear an excerpt from an audio interview with the late great Minnie Riperton and discuss her "whistle register" and cancer activism. Mark then presents his selection of choice cuts from the week's new library pieces, including articles on Rolf Harris, the Osmonds, Johnny Nash, Scritti Politti, Carl Wilson and the Talking Heads film Stop Making Sense. The show this week winds up with some thoughts on Madonna, sparked by a 7000-word NME interview conducted by Barbara Ellen in 1995.

Produced by Jasper Murison-Bowie

Pieces discussed: Morrissey, Joanna Newsom, Hal Blaine and the Wrecking Crew, Lambchop, Kurt Wagner, Charlie McCoy, Minnie Riperton audio interview, Rolf Harris, The Osmonds, Johnny Nash, Scritti Politti, Carl Wilson, Talking Heads and Madonna

E18: The Prodigy's Keith Flint R.I.P. + Jayne County audio interview Mar 08, 2019

Show notes

In the absence of Mr. Mark Pringle, Barney Hoskyns and Jasper Murison-Bowie pay tribute to Keith Flint of the Prodigy, revisiting three articles from the RBP archive, including an interview conducted during the shoot for the 'Firestarter' video.

Three pieces by the week's featured writer Jeff Tamarkin spark discussion of Bay Area musicians Marty Balin, Greg Kihn and the Residents before talk turns to a brief but brilliant 1985 audio interview with Jayne County. Contemplating her influence as the first open transwoman in rock, Barney and Jasper listen to an excerpt from Ira Robbins' phone interview in which she talks of transitioning and working in a Berlin "house of prostitution".

Finally, Jasper and Barney introduce select highlights from the new additions to the RBP library: Beatles label court battles of the early '60s, Jeff Beck's 1970 visit to Motown, Alice Cooper's shock-rock and Rage Against the Machine raging against the corporate rock machine.

Produced by Jasper Murison-Bowie

Pieces discussed: The Prodigy's 'Firestarter', The Prodigy: Who Will Rave Your Soul?, The Prodigy @ Glasgow Academy, Jefferson Airplane, Greg Kihn, The Residents, Jayne County interview, Beatles court battles, Jeff Beck at Motown, Alice Cooper, Rage Against the Machine, The Associates Q&A

E17: Remembering Mark Hollis + Dead Kennedys Audio + Mark Leviton Mar 01, 2019

Show notes

Paying tribute to the late Mark Hollis, Mark Pringle, Barney Hoskyns and Jasper Murison-Bowie consider the Talk Talk frontman's huge influence on "post-rock" (and even trip-hop) and trace the band's evolution from early '80s synth-pop to 1988's beautiful jazz/classical-influenced Spirit of Eden.

The trio then hear an excerpt from the week's new audio interview, recorded in 1981 with Dead Kennedys Jello Biafra and Klaus Fluoride, and discuss the California punk scene (and rise of American indie). Mark Leviton is the week's featured writer, commencing with his account of a week on a recent "rock cruise" – Pringle's idea of "hell" – and wrapping up with a 1984 report on L.A.'s Slash Records.

Pringle presents his highlights of the week's new library additions, including pieces on Scott Walker, the Beatles' White Album, Queen's Brian May, Jackie Wilson, the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWBHM — "the worst acronym in music history"?) and the first reports, in 1993, of Michael Jackson's sexual abuse of young boys.

"Jazzbo" Murison-Stardust discusses the 2015 film Whiplash – with its "sports-movie" approach to jazz drumming – along with the xx and Alessia Cara. Barney babbles about maverick British record man Andrew Lauder and Cajun-pop icon Johnnie Allan...

Hosted by Barney Hoskyns, Mark Pringle and Jasper Murison-Bowie

Produced by Jasper Murison-Bowie

Pieces discussed: Talk Talk, Talk Talk talk, Return from Eden: Mark Hollis, Talk Talk's influence, Dead Kennedys' Jello Biafra and Klaus Flouride audio, Cruisin with Justin & the Fudge, Stephen Bishop, Slash Records, The Walker Brothers, The Beatles' White Album, Queen, Jackie Wilson, NWOBHM, Michael Jackson allegations, Whiplash, Andrew Lauder, Johnnie Allan's 'Promised Land', the xx, Alessia Cara

E16: Curtis Mayfield + Sigue Sigue Sputnik + History of RBP with Martin Colyer Feb 22, 2019

Show notes

Together with special guest (and RBP co-founder) Martin Colyer, Mark Pringle and Barney Hoskyns consider soul giant Curtis Mayfield and his enduring influence. They hear a snippet of Julian Henry's 1985 audio interview with the absurd Sigue Sigue Sputnik – and talk about how Tony James and co. crashed down to earth despite their stratospheric ambitions. There's a brief discussion of pieces by featured writer Mac Randall on Robert Wyatt & Bill Nelson, Linda Thompson and Beck, leading on to a rundown of what's new in the archive for the subscribers, led by chief archivist Pringle: specifically, articles on Del Shannon, Diana Ross, Keith Richards, Viv Stanshall, Joy Division, Andrew Weatherall and Missy Elliott, as well as a lengthy feature on the drug Ketamine from 1976. Martin, Mark and Barney then take a journey back in time to the origins of Rock's Backpages, explaining how the idea for the archive came to be and what steps they took together to make it a reality.

Martin Colyer's blog can be found at https://fivethingsseenandheard.com and the book, Five Things I Saw & Heard This Week, Volume 1: Dispatches from the everyday world of music is available on Amazon.

Hosted by Mark Pringle and Barney Hoskyns

Produced by Jasper Murison-Bowie

Pieces discussed: Curtis Mayfield: Life with the Impressions, unsigned Curtis Mayfield, Curtis Mayfield after his paralysing accident, Sigue Sigue Sputnik audio, Bill Nelson & Robert Wyatt, Linda Thompson, Beck, Del Shannon, Diana Ross, Keith Richards, Ketamine, Viv Stanshall, Joy Division live, Andrew Weatherall, Missy Elliott, Harlan Howard and Dan Penn & Spooner Oldham...

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