We’ve talked about how people don’t listen to the lyrics before using a song – for advertising, a political rally, or a special event. That's how we end up with Volvo using a song about drug abuse and transvestism to promote their cars, or couples using a song about obsession and stalking as they recite their wedding vows, or Iggy Pop’s ode to his heroin addiction to promote a luxury ocean cruise, to name but a few! We look at these and other examples of “Didn't you listen to the ...

The second half of our look at 1976 - a banner year for music. This time, the boys look at more of their favourites of the “Class of ‘76” and plug in a dynamite playlist to go with it! The conclusion of a romp through one of music’s finest years! We know you’re going to love it. References: Stevie Wonder, Songs in the Key of Life, “Isn’t she lovely”, “Sir Duke”, Andy Williams, R&B, Rhythm & Blues, The Eagles, Hotel California, “Life in the Fast Lane”, “N...

1976 was a banner year for music. Some of the greatest albums of all time were released that year, and Mick & Jeff were there as it happened. This episode, they look at their favourites of the “Class of ‘76” - what was great (and what wasn’t!) & why. In Rock News, the boys check out who’s touring, and what aged care arrangements are in place! Their “Album You Must Hear Before You Die” is Paul Simon’s “Graceland”, which brought African street music to Western r...

This episode’s a bit schizophrenic! Firstly, we look at Kate Bush, whose first single “Wuthering Heights” was released against the wishes of her record company – too long and too weird, they said. We all know how wrong they were, don’t we? Our Album You Must Hear Before You Die is "Junkyard" by The Birthday Party, a band who embodied chaotic, confrontational music. This is as far as you can get from Kate Bush! As you can guess, Mick loves them! Knockin’ on Heaven...

This episode we look at the phenomena of hugely successful artists refusing to play the songs that made them! First among these is Radiohead, whose “Creep” launched them onto the world stage. Others include The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, and Madonna. Our Album You Must Hear Before You Die is The Stranglers’ 1977 debut, the excellent “Rattus Norvegicus”, yet another punk record from the mid-70s. Mick loves this album for its energy and refusal to b...

In the mid-70's, one of our most outrageous bands burst out of Melbourne ready to shock a relatively conservative Australian society. With wild costumes & makeup, songs touching on drugs, sexuality and masturbation, and Red’s four-letter word chants, what's not for teenagers to love? We certainly did! Mick just got a new book covering the life of American guitarist Dick Wagner. With a career that included some of our favourite artists and music, including Lo...

One of NZ’s best-ever band exports is Split Enz. Formed in the 70’s, Split Enz’ intelligent pop music made them one of our top bands for over a decade, and still beloved today. We look at how they got started and some highlights of their career and recordings. We also talk about our annual trip to Bali, where we discovered a local band that played Pink Floyd's “Wish You Were Here” (yes, really!!) Radiohead's “Creep”, Johnny Cash’s “Ring of Fire” and a stack of other...

This episode, we look at guest appearances. From Duane Allman playing the famous lead on “Layla”, to Bob Seger doing backing vocals on The Eagles’ “Heartache Tonight”. It’s all here, from a moment in the studio to creation of an inspirational piece of music It’s a chock-a-block episode. “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” looks at Neil Sedaka, Charles Negron II of Three Dog Night, William "Billy Bass" Nelson Jr, of Parliament-Funkadelic, and rappers Lil Poppa 25 and Luci4 22, who we...

Sometimes, bands release only one album – no follow-up, no nothing! Some are great. Some, not so much. This episode, we look at a bunch of what we’re calling “One-Album-Wonders". In 1975, Aerosmith released their breakthrough album, “Toys in the Attic”. Did we like it then? Do we like it now? In “Albums You Must Hear Before You Die”, we examine these and other mysteries. All this and the usual mix of stuff. We know you’ll love it. References: Mark Ke...

Linda Ronstadt has been described as the most successful and certainly the most durable and most gifted woman rock singer of her era. We look at her impact on music (and us!). Our "Album You Must Listen to Before You Die" is 10cc’s “Sheet Music”, their 2nd album which announced to the world that they were a force to be reckoned with. Did we like the album? You bet! Plus, more on Jeff’s current fixation with Bad Bunny’s impact on America today. Lots of fun.&...