Show notes
jD, Dan from London, Pete and Tim are joined by a very special guest on this episode that is dedicated to the new reissue of Phantom Power for its 25th anniversary.And make sure to listen to the VERY END!Transcript:[0:05] On August 31st, 2023, The Tragically Hip dropped the first track from the Phantom.[0:12] Power 25th Anniversary box set, a song called Bumblebee.I will always remember this day because my friends Dan from London, Pete and Tim were in Toronto for our big live finale and the four of us were off to Kingston to visit the Bad Houseand sightsee the tragically hip scenes in Kingston.The first thing we did inside the car was fire up Bumblebee.It was so odd to hear something so familiar but so new to my ears.I hadn't heard this melody or these bending guitar licks before and I wanted more.[0:53] Lucky for us there are several other tracks included on this box set.Songs we either hadn't heard, or maybe we've heard snips and pieces of in live performances, or maybe on a bootleg.And of course there are complete song ideas that wound up on Gord's first solo record, Coke Machine Glow.There is also a fantastic live show from Pittsburgh, demos, and alternate versions of songs that did make the final cut.In essence, this is an exciting time to be a hip fan.Although we are all collectively gutted that we'll never see our boys on stage again, as long as I've been a hip fan, I've clamored for these songs that somehow wound up on the cuttingroom floor.And I'm sure you have too.[1:41] Today we'll get a sense of what Dan, Pete, and Tim think of the Reissue and we'll speak with a very special guest about the making of this spectacular box set and so much more.So sit back, relax, and let's start getting hip to the hip.Track 4:[2:23] Hey, it's Shadeen here and welcome back to Getting Hip to the Hip.This is an out-of-sequence bonus, episode for everyone.We are going to be talking today about the box set of Phantom Power, and I am joined as always by my friends Pete and Tim, and today's special guest again, Dan from London. How's itgoing, everybody?Well, Dan got his ears lowered, looks like Dan got his ears lowered.Yeah, I lost some hair over the course of the last thing, yeah.He was shorn. Maybe it was his younger brother stepping in. Yeah.[3:07] So fellas, when we last left off and we talked about Phantom Power, I recall the conversation really revolving around fireworks.You guys both really loved that song.Something On was a little underwhelming for you.You got into Poets, you thought that was a good kickoff and here we are just like six months after, not even six months, like four months after releasing that episode and The TragicallyHip goes out and releases a 25th anniversary box set of Phantom Power.So we thought it would be cool to get the band back together and talk about that for a little bit.And we'll be joined by a very special guest who we won't reveal quite yet.Is there anything that in particular, Pete or Tim, you remember about your experience with the record, thinking back, and Dan, for you following one of them, what was your experiencewith the record in general?[4:24] Um, it's funny because I went back and I found my notes from the original and it's it's just crazy to look at.It's like it's a it's a time it's a time capsule because, yeah, there were certain songs that was like, this is good.And like and now I look at, like, some of the songs that I was.[4:44] You know, Gugu and Gaga over and I love fireworks, but I mean, by by and far, you know, Bob Cajun is probably one of the most just, I mean, it's on loop in my home.So many, so many days. She also listens to it as well, right?Oh, yeah, she absolutely loves that song. We're listening to the live version today, we went for a hike.[5:07] And Cherrigan Falls. Poets is like, I think didn't, didn't, goodness, 50 Mission, didn't they?They came out with Poets when they played the live event.That song just, I had like one line written for that song. And this is the line, this is how sad it is. Dig it.Verse phrasing is key to the song. Lines go to the next measure.Layers and guitars. Nice. Now I'm just like, I hear that song.And I just fucking stop what I'm doing. And I just like, I fucking love that song.It's crazy how this album grew on me like a fucking virus. It's amazing.Timmy? Great. Yeah. Great, great question, JD, for sure.I mean, there's still a few on it that I'm not a super fan of, just to start off being negative here.Like, the rules to me is still a yawner, you know, but like, I kind of dig Chagrin Falls more than I did last time.I don't think I was anti, but in Emperor Penguin, I've read so many times across platforms that people love Emperor Penguin, and that song's slowly growing on me too. It's one of myfaves.There's still some really good ones in there.[6:31] Thompson Girl I could still live without. That's another one that grew on me, Timmy. I feel you, but I grew on it.With the new songs, and this is a question for a few minutes ahead, but somebody asked with the new songs, are any of those potential replacements for what's on the original?Oof. So yeah, that got me thinking a little bit.Tim, why do you always have to embroil things in controversy?I mean, that just is a controversial question.I mean, probably because of aliens, I guess. Oh, stop it.[7:15] Dan, what did you think of Phantom Power? I mean, Phantom Power is an absolute solid album.It's just a kicker, isn't it? I mean, I always love something on, I think it was the first track I got into off the album and I still absolutely love it. I think that song kicks ass.Something about the bass drum and the bass just driving it and the timing is just fantastic.Obviously, yeah, Bob Cajun.That always used to come on at a certain point on my commute when I was arriving at a certain station and I now still have overwhelming feelings when I pull into that station.[8:02] I can't believe how big a song can be, how overwhelmingly amazing a song can be.But yeah, I mean, the other stuff, I mean, Escape is at hand, I think, is just my favorite track on the album.You know, again, it's a whole other different story and different sentiment that it carries.And I don't know, I think that is a Bob Cajun and Escape is at hand, I think that just works a genius.And I can't say much more than that.Yeah. You know, the loss related with Escape Is At Hand is so relatable for me. And probably everybody.But I tend to live with you, Dan.I think Escape At Hand is... There's something about that song that just hits home, I think, probably for most people.[8:58] Maybe not sociopaths. I don't know. Maybe not.I think, Dan, you hit on the point. It's crazy how songs, even if you listen to them and enjoy them, it's like they get to a point where you've listened to them so many times, and perhaps thesame situation, like you said, pulling into that particular tube station or whatever it is, that maybe you don't hear it for a while, but then you hear it again, And, and just like a flood ofmemories and images come back.Just weird how the human brain works, man. I mean, this summer, we were go, go ahead.I mean, I just, I was just gonna say also in terms of that as well, it's the same station that I come into, I used to come into every time Fiddler's Green came on as well.So there's a time in all the albums where some of this stuff happens.[9:49] That's cool. That's cool. So have any of you guys had a chance to listen to the bonus tracks or the outtakes or the live show or any of it?And if you haven't, that's cool.All of it. All of it? Yeah. Yeah.I'm just happy to have more live music from these guys.For the obvious reason. It's a nice sounding show. So I read some kind of critique, so it's not the best sounding live show they played. I mean, who cares?I'm just happy to have more live music. That's an easy go-to wherever I am, in the car, on a plane, whatever.So as far as the new songs go? Yeah, back to your question.Yeah, I dig most of them. What's the best of the bunch? Eh, I don't know, I'm not there yet, I wouldn't say I'm there yet, I kinda like them all for different reasons.[10:52] Vegas Strip may be the least, but I like all these songs. I haven't gotten to it yet.It's my least favorite, but I still really like it.Yeah, like Songwriters Cabal isn't my favorite, but I love that song.Mystery, just lastly. Mystery is kind of a phenomenal ending to this group of songs.It's just this somber kind of tearjerker.Yeah, that was that was a happy listen. Joy meant either you fellas dabble.[11:31] I dabbled today and a couple of days last week, not yesterday, but I think Thursday and Friday in the fly stuff, which I concur with Timmy, I just love the live shit and I don't give afuck If it was a, you know, if it was a tape recorder jammed behind a, you know, bathroom stall and you got it picked it up in the background.It's just cool to hear this band live, but I loved it. Um, of the new tunes.I agree. I'm not there yet, but I, I got, um, I did hear bumblebee a lot when that came out, cause that dropped first, if I'm not mistaken, right. It dropped the day we went to Kingston.Kingston.So we got to it on the way to Kingston. That was fun. That's right.But I would say of the new tracks, I think the strongest one is Insomniacs. Me too.I just think it's very brawling, fucking harking back, just cool, fucking, just has that cool, easy, fucking hip, early shit to it.Early feels to it. Yeah, you know, has the road apples feel to it or something.Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, I agree with that. I like that too. I could be swayed.[12:50] Okay. Dan? Yeah, and I mean for me, I've listened to the extra tracks.I mean, I still love Bumblebee.[13:04] There's something about that with the guitar bends, that like, I mean, I think we next sort of hear those kind of guitar bends on my music at work.Something very similar happens towards the end of that, doesn't it?But in terms of the live stuff, there's a few little things going on in there.I mean, obviously, when you get down to 100th Meridian, there's a kind of improvised extract of Bumblebee in there, which is fantastic.And also, in the Chagrin Falls live version, he breaks into Born Free, but in the alternate version of Chagrin Falls, he's singing Chagrin Falls with a Born Free kind of lilt to it.So there's these kind of little parallels between some of the stuff that's been chosen, I think.Yeah, so maybe that's the reasons for some of those selections.Yeah. To you for choosing this live this light those like cuts you mean I Think so. Yeah.Yeah. Yeah, there's definitely some some thread woven throughout.Yeah Too bad. We don't have anybody to ask We might get some insight from our special guest Yeah, we should kick to him right now.We'll go to a song and then we'll come in with our special guest Johnny fucking thing.Track 6:[17:35] Hello, hello, hello, hello, I hear you guys now. There we go. Oh good. Am I good?Am I good? Yeah Hello Hi johnny Good doing well Sorry about that Hi, that's my fault. Not yours.I'll take full credit for that We're just waiting for one more to join Okay, he's uh in the waiting room now.Oh, there he is amazing how everything just Clicked and then johnny came on because we were having some severe problems, Dan, can you hear us? Yeah, absolutely. Awesome. Can youhear me? Yeah. Grant.[18:18] How you doing technically there, Danny? Good. Can you hear me?I can hear you. I can see you.Perfect. So then are you done? Are you done taking the McDonald's in London?London? London. Yeah. Yeah. My dad, my dad's hometown. He's from Woolwich.Woolwich, really? Yes. Oh yeah. South of the river. And we got to Canada and some friends would say, are you from London, Ontario or London, England?And my dad would just shoot back, he'd go, there's only one, London.Ooh. Although they have a Thames where the Canadian one. Ooh. Anyway.[18:59] That's beautiful. Isn't there in London, Missouri or something, too? There's a London... Oh, they're all over the place.Yeah. What's the deal with that? What's the deal?I think there's one in India also. You can't throw a shoe without hitting a London, is basically what you're saying. Yeah.All right. Well, let's get things on the road here.Johnny, just a brief introduction. We've ran a podcast from May 2, 4 to Labor Day this summer, where I took my friends that have never heard of the hit before. One is in Spain, Malaga.One is in Portland, Oregon. That's Tim and that's Pete, who is from Spain.And then Dan is from London.And we took them through a record a week, starting with the Baby Blue record and working up to Man-Machine Poem and just.[19:54] Inculcated them into the world of Tragically Hip.We ended up with a big party at the end downtown at the Rec Room.We raised like almost four grand for Donnie Wenjack.Oh that's amazing. Incredible.Yeah, so that's our story. I'm sorry I had to get the The music stuffed down your throat like that.[20:19] Can you imagine doing it, Johnny, like of a band that you've never heard of, right?And I've heard of you guys, but like never heard of you guys. I mean, I never heard it.But it's crazy how we did get it literally shoved down our throats.And now we were going back today talking about Band and Power, about what our first reactions were for it.And even compared to now, how much everything's just grown on us.It's just like, and we're diehard fans now, but go back a year from today, we didn't know. That's incredible.Wow. It's crazy, man. Thanks for sticking with it. It's not always easy.My Spotify algorithm is still totally convoluted, but a lot of a lot of hit playing in there.So Johnny, let's start at the start and get to know a little bit about you as the drummer of The Tragically Hap.And youngest member of The Tragically Hap. That's right, that's right. It's a dig.[21:27] It's Gord Sinclair's birthday today, right? It is indeed.Yes. Yes. I had dinner with him and Paul the other night in Toronto, and we had a nice evening.And, you know, we're 40 years young next year.I was in high school when we started, and I guess here we are.Wow. Wow. Who, before you got into the band and as you guys were forming, um, you know, your sound and your, you know, cadence, who were your big influences?I've, I know Stuart Copeland came up at one point. Oh, without a doubt.Yeah. I've heard a story about an exam or something like that, that you missed.That's correct. Yeah, that's correct. Uh, and we later ended up working with Hugh Padgham, the great British producer. and Synchronously was coming out and it came out on the daybefore my.[22:29] My math exam for Mrs.Griffordy and Lynn got this record and I listened to it.I'd heard Every Breath You Take on the radio, but then when I heard Synchronicity II and just the blistering drumming of Stuart, I just had to drink it all in.I remember making the decision. I was like, I can listen to this record, I can study for the exam.If I don't study for the exam, I'm going to summer school, which I did.And then I took one day off to go see them at the Olympic Stadium in Montreal, but it was worth it because that was, that was really my education was living, eating and breathing.And if you were a drummer in the eighties, who, uh, the guy, he was instantly identifiable by a snare drum.Um, just the hit…
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