The Hustle

Latest Episodes:

Episode 236 - Juliana Hatfield Nov 13, 2019

Show notes

The last few years have been a blur of prolific activity for Juliana Hatfield. There was the anti-Trump album Pussycat from 2017, there have been side projects with Paul Westerberg (The I Don't Care's) and Nada Surf's Matthew Caws (Minor Alps), and there have been albums of new material (2019's Weird and 2015's Whatever, My Love), but what is a wonderful new focus for her are these albums of covers. In 2018 she released Juliana Hatfield Sings Olivia Newton-John to wide acclaim and this week she drops the follow up, Juliana Hatfield Sings the Police. This wonderful collection brings new depth to these classic tunes and presents them in a new light completely unique to her. We discuss all of this as well as her favorite albums and bands, her love life, her feelings about accolades, and much more. She's a total delight and full of great stories!

www.julianahatfield.com

Bonus - Jon and Georgia Countdown Their Top 5 Kiss Songs Nov 10, 2019

Show notes

It was bound to happen sooner or later. Jon engages in conversation with his 12-year-old daughter Georgia, discussing their love of Kiss and counting down their top 5 songs. This was done quick and dirty, no editing, no production. Hope you're all impressed!

Episode 235 - James Atkin of EMF Nov 06, 2019

Show notes

The summer of 1991 belonged to bands like EMF. When they took over the world with their debut single "Unbelievable," it signaled a change in the sound of mainstream music where white British guys merged alternative rock with dance music, hip-hop and skate culture. Coming out of the gate with a song as big as that one, you'd think EMF would continue on, but such was not the case. Like so many others, they suffered the dreaded sophomore slump on the second album and barely released a third before hanging it up. Frontman James Atkin talks openly about how difficult those years were, but is also in a very good place today teaching children at a local school and recently releasing a solo album called Popcorn Storm. We also discuss how they found their sound, their style, and how Andrew Dice Clay got in there. Enjoy!

www.jamesatkinmusic.com

Episode 234 - Ruben De Fuentes of The Hollywood Stars Oct 29, 2019

Show notes

Sometimes you just have to wonder why some bands don't make it. Take the Hollywood Stars. Brought together by famous impresario Kim Fowley, the guys were meant to be a West Coast answer to the New York Dolls. After some stops and starts, the band finally released their debut album in 1977, but it didn't show what the band could do, it under-performed, and the band broke up ending the potential for greatness. Guitarist Ruben De Fuentes enjoyed the LA music scene of the period and went on to play with 80s versions of classic psych rock bands like Steppenwolf and Blue Cheer. Thankfully, as vinyl junkies began discovering the band in later years, the Hollywood Stars are back in business! In 2013 their great lost album from 1974, Shine Like a Radio, was finally released (it features the original version of "King of the Nighttime World" made famous by Kiss) and earlier this year another collection of hidden gems, SOUND CITY (named for where it was recorded), was released and it's excellent. Ruben is an example of a guy that has devoted his life to rock and roll. Enjoy!

Episode 233 - Rocco Barker of Flesh For Lulu Oct 23, 2019

Show notes

Flesh For Lulu had it all. They mixed the Stones' swagger with the New York Dolls' grease and added a healthy dose of 80s glam to perfection as evidenced on possibly their best known hit, 1987's "I Go Crazy" from the Some Kind of Wonderful soundtrack. But, it all ended too quickly and now it never will be again. Lead singer Nick Marsh passed away in 2015 of cancer, putting a permanent end to this wonderful band. Guitarist Rocco Barker tells us the full story - how his first band Wasted Youth was bigger than FFL, how the band he and Nick started after FFL, Gigantic, never quite got off the ground, his experience in reality TV, crazy ex-girlfriends, drugs, family, money, and his new career as an eyeglass maker (you read that right). He's a wonderfully entertaining bloke and Flesh For Lulu deserve a rediscovery. Enjoy!

https://furnacemag.com/rocco-marker-handmade-spectacles/

Bonus - Top 10 Soundtrack Songs of the 90s with Reliving My Youth Oct 18, 2019

Show notes

In part 2 of our crossover episode with Reliving My Youth, Jon and Noel countdown their Top 10 soundtrack songs of the 90s.

Episode 232 - Darren Hill of Red Rockers Oct 16, 2019

Show notes

Red Rockers were all set to be the "American Clash." They may have started as the go-to punk band in their native New Orleans, but when they wrote the 1983 hit "China" for their second album, not only did their style change, but MTV played them incessantly, recognition soon followed, and original fans screamed "sell outs!" Unfortunately, the switch to a more commercial sound only led to moderate commercial success. Other than the still beautiful "China" they never quite got off the ground. When it ended, bassist Darren Hill didn't really find success again until he began playing with, and then managing, Paul Westerberg. From there, his roster of clients grew to include luminaries like the Mighty Mighty Bosstones, New York Dolls, Dropkick Murphys, and the late Roky Erickson. Darren tells fascinating stories about all of these great people like what makes Paul tick, why was Roky special, working with former guest William Wittman on Red Rockers' final album Schizophrenic Circus (and why it has one of the worst covers ever), and the pop culture store he runs in Providence, RI. So many great stories here and you know we just scratched the surface. Enjoy!

http://www.emporiumofpopularculture.com/

Recap 2019 v.3 with Brad Page Oct 14, 2019

Show notes

It's that time again, Hustlers and this time Jon and Jan are joined by Brad Page of the I'm In Love With That Song podcast. We're honored to have the man with the buttery voice slumming it with us knuckleheads. Not only do we recap the last three months of episodes, but we also discuss bad publicist experiences, we get an update on Jan's love life, whatever happened with HustleFest, and who was it that cut our interview short? And good news - no airports this time! Enjoy!

You can find out information about the band that closes out this episode at the link below.

https://www.lipstickgeneration.com

Promo Mode - Ian Anderson discusses The Ballad of Jethro Tull book and 40th Anniversary of Stormwatch Oct 11, 2019

Show notes

Jethro Tull's Ian Anderson is busy these days. First of all, November sees the release of the new book The Ballad of Jethro Tull. For the first time ever Ian, along with former members of the band, tell the full story of their musical formation and legacy. You can preorder this beautiful new book now and get your name printed inside. You will also receive an mp4 of Ian reciting new tracks "The Ballad of Jethro Tull" and "Marmion". In addition, Oct. 18th sees the release of the 40th anniversary deluxe edition of the Tull album Stormwatch. This album marked the conclusion of a folk-rock trilogy that included 77's Songs From the Wood and 78's Heavy Horses and was the last JT album to feature several original band members. This 4CD/2DVD set includes new production of the original album by Steven Wilson, a live concert from March 1980, and a book telling the history of the album. If you're a Tull fan, you won't want to miss out on both of these goodies! The Ballad of Jethro Tull book is published by Rocket 88 Books www.jethrotullbook.com Jethro Tull ‘Stormwatch: 40th Anniversary Force 10 Edition’ (4CD / 2DVD) is released on Rhino http://jethrotull.com/stormwatch-40th-anniversary-edition-announced/

Episode 231 - Martha Wash Oct 09, 2019

Show notes

Martha Wash has one of the most recognizable voices in pop history. Well, maybe a better word for it is "utilized." She has sang on some of the biggest club/dance hits of the last 40 years and you may not even realize it. In the 70s she and her friend Izora Rhodes began singing back up for disco legend Sylvester, becoming known as Two Tons O' Fun. This lead to their own record deal and two albums released under that name before changing it to the Weather Girls. Then came "It's Raining Men," a giant hit and an anthem in the LGBT community. From here the dance hits just kept on coming - "Everybody Everybody" and "Gonna Make You Sweat" among them. With the success did not come the credit or the money, an issue Martha fought the law for and won changing the music industry forever. All told she's sang on 12 #1 dance hits and today is heavily involved in First Ladies of Disco, who will be appearing on the 2020 Ultimate Disco Cruise. She's also changing it up musically, just listen to her last album, 2013's Something Good, which is so good and not dance music at all. She has an incredible story that everyone should hear. Enjoy!

www.marthawash.com

www.firstladiesofdiscoshow.com

www.ultimatediscocruise.com

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