Mick and the PhatMan Talking Music
Join Mick and Jeff as they talk about artists, albums and music genres with passion that comes from personal connection. They’ve seen artists in concert at venues that don’t even exist today, bought albums when they were released on vinyl and, in some cases, met the artists. Sometimes they love the artist or music they're talking about. Sometimes they don’t. But, without fail, you'll always hear something you didn’t know.
Deep Cuts from our favourite albums
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A “Deep Cut” is something that is recognisable or familiar to passionate fans but not usually to others. As a special treat this week, we’ve delved into our collections to give you some deep cuts from our favourites – things like Queen, Bowie, Joe Cocker, Nick Cave and TISM. We think you’ll love them,
In Rock News, Jeff delves into songs that turn 60 on 2025, looks at Sunday Lunch with Toyah and Robert Fripp, and looks at Yachtley Crew, a strange phenomenon from California.
Our Album Y...
Cutting down Tall Poppies
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Just because you’re successful doesn’t mean everyone likes you. In fact, success can often draw criticisms that might not be given to other performers. In Australia, we call that the “Tall Poppy Syndrome”, where people look for reasons to bring successful people down! We look at some criticisms (not by us - mainly!), of highly successful artists and try to find a reason for them.
This month seems to have a host of rock star deaths! In Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door...
Warren Zevon – Finally inducted into the Hall of Fame!!
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A while back, we talked at length about Warren Zevon, one of the great American songwriters and one of our idols. So, this year, Warren Zevon has been inducted into the Rock’n’Roll Hall of Fame, along with Bad Company and Cyndi Lauper, and we thought that was a perfect excuse to close the loop on our coverage of his career. It’s all here – his later career, final album, appearances on Letterman. We loved doing it, and we know that you'll love listening t...
Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel - More than Come Up and See Me!
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The late Steve Harley was most famous for his 1975 hit Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me), but there’s much more to the story than one good single. We look at the band’s early albums and Steve Harley's career around and after that single and the band's break up. As usual, Mick says their early stuff is way better than their later stuff!
Our Album you Must Listen to Before You Die is “Tres Hombres”, ZZ Top’s 1973 album containing the huge hit “La Gran...
Musical taste - a collection of influences
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Why do you like the music you do? Is it as simple as “It’s what I heard on the radio”? Or something deeper? People with elder siblings may be exposed to music earlier than first children. Jeff had an older brother, so was exposed earlier to cool music - Beatles, Janis, Hendrix, and so on. Mick was the eldest in his family and had to find his own taste. (No surprise considering what he listens to!) Were you bullied as a child? Influence! Did you sha...
Legendary Women of Rock – Patti Smith & Marianne Faithfull
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This episode, we look back at two hugely influential women artists – Patti Smith, whose 1975 “Horses” album inspired so many artists, and Marianne Faithfull, whose passing in January, 2025, is a huge loss.
“Horses”, with its confrontational approach - “Jesus died for somebody’s sins, but not mine” - changed the landscape of rock music for the next few decades. Produced by John Cale, of Velvet Underground fame, the album opened the door for so many women, including Debbie Harry of Blondie and Siouxsie Sue of Siouxsie & The...
More of our Rob Younger interview (with better sound) (#2)
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Part 2 of our fascinating conversation with Radio Birdman's Rob Younger. From music production styles, to why some people can't keep it in their pants, and the disgraceful lack of credit given to Stevie Wright for the success of The Easybeats, there's never a dull moment in this wide-ranging discussion.
Enjoy!
References: Rock producers, production styles, guitarists, band leaders, Died Pretty, Plunderers, Dragon, Punk rock UK vs US, Patti Smith, John Cale, orchestration, Jeff Beck, Frank Zappa, Mothers of Invention, 60's songwriting & playing, Kei...
A conversation with Radio Birdman's Rob Younger
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A special treat for you this episode! Rob Younger, lead singer of legendary Australian group, Radio /Birdman, joins us in the studio to give us his thoughts on everything from music production to the influence of the Beatles on all rock music.
Rob’s near-encyclopedic knowledge of the rock era is impressive, and it's eye-opening to hear his opinions on the shameful treatment of Stevie Wright (The Easybeats), the lyrics of Jim Morrison and Robert Plant, and guitarists "wanking" on stage, with plenty of stops in-be...
Who's brave enough to cover Bowie's "Heroes"?
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In case you hadn’t noticed, we love a good cover version! This episode, we’re looking at covers - staples, covers from strange sources, and some songs that have had a LOT of covers, including a bunch of covers of David Bowie's “Heroes”, one of Mick's favourite songs of all time.
Our Album You Must Hear before You Die is “Is This It?” by The Strokes. This punk/Britpop-influenced album got rave reviews on release in 2001 from Rolling Stone, The Village Voice, and New Musical Expre...
Great Debut Albums
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Every band/artist has to have a first album. Sometimes those albums are good, sometimes they’re not, and sometimes they just show potential. This episode, we look at some first albums over the gamut of the rock era that we regard as great, including some Australian albums. You've probably heard of most, but not all.
In rock news, we look at Neil Young, The Wiggles (yes!), Joe Bonamassa, Jethro Tull and Billboard's new list – The Top 200 Albums of the 21st Century.
Our Album You...
2024 - Wrapping up another year of great stories & music!
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Well, this is the last episode of Season 4, and once again, it’s been a ball of fun (and music). 4 years and still going strong – bigger and better than ever!
We look back at “Knockin’ on Heaven's Door” and "Rock News", as well as some of our favourite episodes. We recall some of the albums we’ve listened to (before we die), some of the shows we’ve seen, some of the books we’ve bought and some of Mick’s fluffs!
We also talk about what...
Creedence Clearwater Revival – what really happened?
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Everyone knows and loves Creedence Clearwater Revival. Their run of hits at the end of the '60’s, and their enduring popularity, has rarely been equaled. Not so well-known is the story of the clashes that caused their run to end so abruptly. We take a look at how the band split and the many personal and legal issues that led to it. It ain’t pretty!
Well, we also kept our promise and listened to the new Coldplay album, “Moon Music”. How did it sound to us...
Were the 80’s really that bad?
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The 80's is a decade with many musical failings. But they produced some great music, too. This episode, we look at what Rolling Stone magazine considers to be the best songs of the 80’s. We have criticised Rolling Stone in the past for the quality of their lists, and this time is no different. However, there’s some good stuff in this list, which we’re happy to acknowledge. Of course, we point out their failings as well – it'd be no fun if we didn’t, would it?!
In...
Nick Lowe - What's so funny?
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This episode spends time with Nick Lowe, a British performer, who started out with pub rock band, Brinsley Schwarz, and Dave Edmunds’ Rockpile. Lowe’s solo career has produced a huge bunch of great songs – many of which you’ve heard, even if you’ve not heard of him - which have been hits for him AND covered by some amazing people! A suggestion from listener Nick from Victoria, this episode was the most fun we’ve had for some time!
Rock News features some standards – O...
"Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps)" - David Bowie's last great album
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David Bowie’s “Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps)” is, for many fans, his last great album. Mick regards it as one of Bowie’s best, while “Ashes to Ashes” is Bowie's confession to a decade of hedonism. Mick and Jeff talk through what makes this album great, and look at the music environment as Bowie, along with many other 70’s greats, faced the changes in a new decade.
“Knockin’ on Heaven's Door” offers a long line of new entrants to Rock’n’Roll Heaven including Herbie Flowers, Tito Jackson...
Albums we regret buying
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As we grew up, music was the most important thing there was. As part of that, we bought some albums that weren’t great, and time has generally proven our assessments right! This episode, we talk about some of those "dud" albums, by artists like Bowie, U2, Led Zeppelin, Golden Earring, Neil Young, Alice Cooper, Phil Collins and Yes, to name but a few.
In Rock News, we talk about a Filipino family who perform Led Zeppelin's Whole Lotta Love with uncanny precision and an auct...
Down the Rabbit Hole - Things we find on the Web
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In today’s episode, we look at how social media gives us a grab-bag of people’s memories of stars and some who weren’t quite so successful, or scarcely successful at all. Nonetheless, they are remembered by some and lionised on social media.
The other side of "on-line" is the channels that present video imagery of any and everything, such as YouTube, TikTok and so on. Jeff presents a bunch of interesting links for you to investigate.
In “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door”, we lament...
The strange ways some bands got their names
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All bands need a name, but the process of getting that name is different for each band. This episode, we look at how a bunch of well-known bands got their names. Some are amusing, some are horrifying, some are dark or seedy – be ready for surprises!
Our “album you must listen to before you die” is Arc of a Diver, by Stevie Winwood (1980). This was a formative album during our youth, and with this million-selling album and its hit single “While You See a Chance”...
Bands who changed their sound mid-career
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It’s not unusual for bands to change their sound or style as they move through their career. We take a look at bands that changed their sound substantially (or started a completely new sound) for a whole lot of reasons - from The Beatles, Bowie and Dylan and Black Sabbath through to Japan, The Cure and Split Enz.
Our album you must hear before you die is Let it Bleed by The Rolling Stones. From the cover art to the great music...
Nick Cave – From "Shivers" to 2024 solo piano & bass
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Nick Cave. After a career that would exhaust a lesser man, he’s still recording and performing breathtaking work. Mick’s just seen him live with only his piano, and a bass guitar, and can’t stop raving! We look at how he started and the difference between his performances and attitudes then and now.
In other news, Lenny Kravitz is still sticking to his vow of celibacy, The Police’s Andy Summers declares that they were total babes, and The Angels are still releasi...
Weird & Wonderful Collaborations
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Musicians love to collaborate. We thought we'd have a look at some that are just great, some that are weird, and some that are simply awful! As usual, some you'll know, and some you won’t.
Our “Album You Must Hear Before You Die” is Pet Sounds, by The Beach Boys (1966). Long revered by musicians including The Rolling Stones and The Beatles, this album is a masterpiece of production and innovation.
This month, we farewell Graham Webb, an Australian pioneer of music videos – and Blind D...
Jethro Tull - killer riffs with a flute player standing on one leg
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Jethro Tull is one of the stranger turns taken by rock music over more than 50 years. Mick and Jeff look back at some of the band’s best work, and, maybe, some of their strangest.
The “Album You Must Hear Before You Die” is Queen II, a sensational album released the year before Queen took over the world! Both Mick & Jeff love it!
Jeff takes a look at what AI is doing to music. We’re not worried, because, as Joe Walsh says, AI can’t even...
Jarrah McCleary/Panama - how artists earn money today - live interview
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This week, something a little different for you – our first live interview!
Jarrah McCleary is an Australian musician - writer, songwriter & producer - whose music, a mix of synth-heavy sounds and beats to smooth electronica, is sometimes evocative of a smoky Fifties restaurant, and at other times, the coolest nightclubs.
Starting out in Western Australia around 20 years ago, Jarrah has toured Australia and Europe, played the festival circuit in Europe and the UK and played the Big Day Out. We talk with Jarrah abou...
Johnny Cash – A grand cornerstone of rock music
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This episode looks at Johnny Cash’s “The American Recordings”, a series of 6 albums released on American Records between 1994 and 2010. By 1994, when he signed to Rick Rubin’s American Records, it looked like Cash’s career was all but done. However, Rubin had other ideas and, over the next 10 years, worked with Cash to produce some of the most memorable work of his career.
Part of this process involved Cash covering songs by some of the greatest artists of the late 20th Century...
"Songs for Drella" - Lou Reed & John Cale's moving tribute to Andy Warhol
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“Songs for Drella”, Lou Reed & John Cale’s marvelous 1990 posthumous tribute to Andy Warhol, offers an intensely personal view of Warhol with songs and playing that rank among the finest in either man’s career. Their first collaboration since The Velvet Underground, nearly 20 years earlier, led to both artists vowing never to work with the other again.
Our "must-listen" album today was suggested by listener Nick Farmer> “El-Rayo-X" (1981) by multi-instrumentalist David Lindley, is a lot of fun - mainly reggae-influenced beat, but clearly Californian. Lindley sounds famili...
Outrageous Tour Demands – You Can’t Make This Stuff Up!
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We all know that rock and pop stars live in a different universe to us mere mortals. Many make strange demands for things that must be provided before they’ll perform a show.
Today, we look at stars’ demands – whether extreme or reasonable, or blindingly hilarious! You won’t believe some of them.
In Jeff's Rock News, Keith Richards has covered Lou Reed’s, “Waiting for the Man”, U2 has played a residency at the Las Vegas Sphere, an unheard Jimi Hendrix...
Husker Du, Sugar and Bob Mould
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Bob Mould is the founding member of Husker Du, one of the most influential guitar bands of the 80’s. Husker Du’s wall-of-sound guitar approach was as influential as REM in creating alternative rock, and created an environment which allowed Nirvana, The Pixies and The Foo Fighters to succeed.
In the early-90's, Sugar, Bob’s next band, built on that with a thrash/melodic collection of songs, particularly on “Copper Blue”. Since then, Bob’s kept th...
Brilliant albums poorly reviewed. How do critics get it so wrong?
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Have you ever NOT bought an album based on a poor review? You’re not the only one! Would it shock you to learn that the critics likely know less than you about music?
This episode, we look at how often (supposed) expert critics got it so wrong with some of the best albums of our time. Victims of such poor efforts include Led Zeppelin, David Bowie, Pink Floyd, AC/DC and The Beatles!
We also start a new segment w...
Stars that threw it all away with dumb decisions
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This week, we talk about successful artists who blew it all with dumb decisions. Youth, fame and amazing amounts of money – what could go wrong?
Our “Album You Must Hear Before You Die” is the wonderful Aladdin Sane, by David Bowie. The cover artwork, featuring a lightning bolt across his face is one of the best-known images in rock, while the album marks Bowie’s tougher, heavier attempt to conquer America.
In Rock News, we hear about Gene Simmons, The Eagles, Ir...
Rolling Stone's "250 Greatest Guitarists of all Time" (well, some of them anyway!)
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Rolling Stone just released “The 250 Greatest Guitarists of all Time”. Naturally, we take issue with the list, who's on it, who’s been left out, the balance, and everything else!
We’re back for another season of opinionated comment on all things from the golden era of rock’n’roll. Hold on & enjoy the ride!
References: Rolling Stone’s “250 Greatest Guitarists”, Globite School Case, David Lindley, Mick Ronson, Shane MacGowan, Nick Cave, Wrecking Crew, Christone 'Kingfish' Ingram, Bob Mould,
Shane M...
2023 - A great year for great music (from other years!)
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We looked at some exceptional music this year, and Jeff inflicted some real crap on our listeners. Sensational Alex Harvey Band, Lou Reed, Ed Kuepper and Hallelujah – and that barely scratches the surface.
And we got a new Globite School Case!
And, in case you were wondering, we'll be back on Sunday 28 Jan 2024. Subscribe and get an automatic reminder!
Books:
The Number Ones – Tom Breihan You Are Beautiful & You Are Alone – Jennifer Otter Bickerdike SAHB Story – Martin...Great Protest Music of our Time
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We look at songs from a few of the major protest movements in our lifetime – racism, Vietnam, Ireland, Margaret Thatcher!
From Woody Guthrie, through Springsteen and Dylan, to racism and Vietnam and the UK's Margaret Thatcher, to present-day Australia, we look at some of the great protest songs. Some of the stories behind those songs will take your breath away.
Our “Album You Must Hear before You Die” this time is Talking Heads’ awesome “Remain in Light” from 1980. This album has been hailed as Talking Heads...
Mathew Sweet - the music behind Susanna Hoffs, Austin Powers and The Simpsons
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Matthew Sweet, an American guitarist, has had a criminally understated career, marked by a sensational solo album, “Girlfriend”, three terrific albums with Susanna Hoffs from The Bangles, “Under the Covers” (Vols 1, 2 and 3) and some very tasty soundtrack work, including the Austin Powers movies. In 2014, he also appeared as Apu’s singing voice in an episode of The Simpsons.
Our “Album you Must Hear Before you Die” is “Rid of Me” by P J Harvey. We hated it and can't pretend otherwise! She was, at one point, in a rel...
REM - Another great band influenced by The Velvet Underground
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REM is often viewed by casual listeners as a lighter-style rock band. This is deceptive, with the band offering complex songs with obscure lyrics, brilliant playing, covers, and an incredible refusal to compromise. Mick and Jeff talk through REM's development from their rock cliche start – the singer, Michael Stipe, met guitarist Peter Buck in the record shop where Buck worked - to their becoming one of the biggest-ever bands in the world – all without selling out.
MOJO Magazine called them "an ensemble growl adorned with heavenly...
Big hits that really weren't original!
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Cover versions – always fascinating!! Occasionally, an artist will cover an obscure song, or a deep cut by another artist and make it their own. But what about when the song has ALREADY been a hit? Sometimes it works; sometimes it doesn’t; sometimes it ends up in court! This episode, we’re looking at examples of all three.
Our “Album You Must Hear Before You Die” is, believe it or not, “And other bits of material” by Paper Lace, the most successful band to come out of Not...
A world without Leonard Cohen would be a much poorer place
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Everyone has heard of Leonard Cohen, but not so many know much about him. With this episode, we look to give you a taste of Mr Cohen – his views on life, women and songwriting; his extraordinary influence on modern songwriting; his legacy, and, of course, “Hallelujah”! A world that never had Leonard Cohen in it would be a much lesser place indeed.
Jeff gives us his holiday report on a visit to the only Museum in the world dedicated to penises, whose prime exhibit is a plaster...
How Michael Jackson's "Thriller" changed all the rules
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Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” – one of the biggest hit albums of all time - also marks a quantum change in how rock music was marketed and sold.
Brought up as part of The Jackson 5, Michael saw himself as an entertainer crossing musical genres and categories. He almost single-handedly made music videos into a serious art form.
In those days, with typical video budgets around $50k, the video for “Thriller” had a budget of $1m and a top Hollywood director in John Landis. Total recording budg...
Marianne Faithfull - Before and after "Broken English"
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Marianne Faithfull's journey from 60's elfin-voiced beauty to grande-dame of rock music has given us some wonderful music, including Broken English, inspired by the Baader-Meinhof terrorist gang. We look at her career, focusing on what this album meant for her. Many may know the title-track single, but the album brings a bunch of stunning tracks we know you’re going to really enjoy discovering, including, “The Ballad of Lucy Jordan” and Lennon’s “Working Class Hero”.
Our “album you must listen to before you die” is Pink Flo...
"Pampered Menial” - Pavlov’s Dog's stunning lost gem from 1975
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In 1975, “Pampered Menial” was released to 5-star critical ratings. It was not a commercial success. However, in the years since, it has become a gem, possibly one of the greatest albums of the 70’s! David Surkamp’s surreal 4-octave voice has been compared to Robert Plant. Matched with Siegfried Carver's violin and Steve Scorfina's guitar, it creates a stunning work of art – intricate and majestic with guts and delicacy in equal measure. With this episode, we want to open more ears to an amazing piece of symphonic rock/metal. ...
70's rock icons
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As a special treat, this episode features four tasty albums from the golden age of Rock.
Rick Wakeman’s “Journey to the Centre of the Earth”, accused of hastening the arrival of punk, and of justifying the need for it, ultimately sold over 14 million copies. Go figure!
“Not Fragile” by Bachman Turner Overdrive, topped the charts in USA and Australia proclaiming that “you ain’t seen nothin’ yet”!
The pick of the crop, the self-titled “Bad Company” was hailed as “swing and swagger with power chords”...
