Vinyl Relics

EPYSODE 93: I Want Candy by The Strangeloves.

Guest: Jerry Goldstein.

Additional commentary by The Psychedelic Wizard, Uncle Herff.

This week it's fuzz guitars, pounding rhythms, and one of the most irresistible hooks of the 1960s as we explore I Want Candy, the electrifying debut album by The Strangeloves. Best known for the immortal title track, the band blended raw garage rock energy, rhythm & blues swagger, and clever studio craftsmanship into a sound that helped shape the future of rock music. But there’s much more to I Want Candy than its iconic hit s...

EPYSODE 91: Changin' Times by Ike White.

Guest: Producer Jerry Goldstein.

Additional commentary by The Psychedelic Wizard, Uncle Herff.

This week we explore the incredible true story behind Changin’ Times, the remarkable 1976 album by the mysterious and immensely talented Ike White. Recorded while White was incarcerated in prison, the album blends soulful grooves, funk, rock and a pinch of jazz coupled with deeply personal songwriting into a record unlike anything else of its era. Despite its brilliance, Changin’ Times slipped into obscurity, becoming one of the great forgotten albums of the 1970s until...

EPYSODE 90: Fine Anyway by Rogér Fakhr.

Guests: Rogér Fakhr, Habibi Funk label co-owner Jannis Stürtz.

Additional commentary by The Psychedelic Wizard, Uncle Herff.

This week we uncover the remarkable story behind Fine Anyway, the long-lost album by Lebanese singer-songwriter Rogér Fakhr that quietly disappeared for decades before finally finding the audience it always deserved. Originally recorded in the late 1970s during a turbulent period in Lebanon’s history, the album blends warm folk rock, jazz-infused arrangements, subtle psychedelia, and deeply personal songwriting into a sound that feels b...

EPYSODE 89: Gandalf by Gandalf.

Guest: Guitarist/vocalist Peter Sando.

Additional commentary by The Psychedelic Wizard, Uncle Herff.

This week we step into the dreamlike world of Gandalf, the enigmatic 1969 self-titled album that quietly vanished upon release only to emerge decades later as a revered psychedelic cult classic. We explore the album’s atmospheric and melancholic beauty and its ethereal blend of psych-pop, folk rock, and studio experimentation. We also uncover the strange story behind the album’s failed release and how its legend grew among collectors. Best of all, this epyso...

EPYSODE 88: Present From Nancy by Supersister.

Guest: Supersister bandleader Robert Jan Stips.

Additional commentary by The Psychedelic Wizard, Uncle Herff.

This week we step into the adventurous world of Dutch progressive rock as we explore Present From Nancy, the remarkable 1970 debut album by Supersister. Blending Canterbury-inspired experimentation, jazz-infused musicianship, quirky humour, and dazzling instrumental interplay, the album stands as one of the most imaginative and overlooked progressive rock releases of the early ’70s. In this epysode, we unpack the album’s unique sound and lasting influence on European prog music. Best...

EPYSODE 87: Where Did The Sunshine Go by The Glass Cage.

Guests: Norm Roth, Marcus Pollard and Jason Flower.

Additional commentary by my twin brother Maurice.

This week we explore Where Did the Sunshine Go, a long-lost psychedelic and garage rock recording by The Glass Cage. Originally recorded in 1968, the songs sat unheard for decades, surviving only on rare acetates until their recent rediscovery and reissue in 2026.

Featuring raw fuzz guitar, cool vocal harmonies, and the vibrant energy of a band at the height of the late ’60s psychedelic wave...

EPYSODE 86: It's All Meat by It's All Meat.

Guests: Band members Jed MacKay and Rick McKim.

Additional commentary by Uncle Herff.

This week we spin the self-titled debut from It’s All Meat, a 1970 release that blends heavy psychedelic rock with raw garage energy. Recorded in Canada and largely forgotten until collectors unearthed it decades later, the album is a thunderous one-off statement of early ’70s underground rock.

The fuzzy guitar riffs and pounding rhythms capture a band experimenting at the edge of psychedelic and hard rock. We break...

EPYSODE 85: Guts by Jodo.

Guest: Jodo guitarist Rod Alexander.

Additional commentary by Uncle Herff.

This week we dive into Guts, the explosive and overlooked debut from British hard-rock band Jodo. Recorded in 1971, Guts blends blues-infused riffs, dual-lead vocals, and a raw energy that sits somewhere between early heavy rock and proto-metal.

Though Jodo never achieved commercial success, their sole LP has become a cult favorite among collectors, celebrated for its ferocious guitar work, powerhouse rhythm section, and gritty, soulful vocals. In this epysode we walk through the history of t...

EPYSODE 84: Crimson & Clover by Tommy James & The Shondells.

Guest: Tommy James.

Additional commentary by Uncle Herff.

This week we step into the psychedelic swirl of 1969 as we explore Crimson & Clover, the groundbreaking album by Tommy James & The Shondells that pushed far beyond pop hits and into bold sonic experimentation. From the hypnotic title track to adventurous deep cuts, we uncover how the band reinvented themselves at the height of the psychedelic era. Best of all, this epysode features exclusive commentary from Tommy James himself, sharing behind-the-scenes stories about the making of t...

EPYSODE 83: Lane Changer by Michael Fennelly.

Guest: Michael Fennelly.

Additional commentary by Uncle Herff.

This week it's our final stop on our "Fennelly Fest" as we turn our attention to Lane Changer, the underappreciated solo LP from Michael Fennelly. Moving beyond the lush studio experimentation of The Millennium and the punchy pop-rock of Crabby Appleton, Fennelly steps into a more personal, grounded sound blending West Coast sensibilities with the polish of early AOR.

With sharp songwriting and a reflective tone, Lane Changer captures an artist navigating both creative evoluti...

EPYSODE 82: Crabby Appleton by Crabby Appleton.

Guest: Michael Fennelly.

Additional commentary by Uncle Herff.

This week we spin the self-titled debut from Crabby Appleton, a record that fused pop instincts with a tougher, guitar-driven edge. Featuring exclusive commentary from Michael Fennelly, we trace the band’s evolution from the more pop ambitions he mined while with The Millennium to the leaner rock sound of this band.

Anchored by the hit single “Go Back,” Crabby Appleton had all the ingredients of a breakout: memorable melodies, tight songwriting, and radio-friendly energy. So...

EPYSODE 81: Begin by The Millennium.

Guest: Michael Fennelly.

Additional commentary by Uncle Herff.

This week we dive into Begin (1968) by The Millennium, a breathtaking studio creation that pushed pop music to its limits and then quietly disappeared. Featuring exclusive commentary from band member Michael Fennelly, we uncover the story behind one of the most ambitious albums of its time.

With its layered harmonies, orchestral flourishes, and groundbreaking production, Begin was designed to be the future of pop. Instead, it became a cult artifact...rediscovered decades later as a defini...

EPYSODE 80: Armageddon by Armageddon.

Guest: Louis Cennamo.

Additional commentary by the Psychedelic Wizard Uncle Herff.

This week we explore the explosive sound of 1975's Armageddon, the self-titled debut and only album by the British progressive hard rock band Armageddon. This album fuses progressive rock, hard rock, and psychedelic textures, delivering a powerful and intricate listening experience that has captivated collectors and prog-rock enthusiasts for decades. Featuring dynamic guitar work and rich rhythmic interplay, Armageddon stands as a seminal statement of 70s British hard prog.

This epysode is particularly spec...

EPYSODE 79: Speech by Steamhammer.

Guest: Louis Cennamo.

Additional commentary by the Psychedelic Wizard, Uncle Herff.

This week we delve into 1972's Speech, the final album by Steamhammer. A masterful blend of blues-rock, progressive textures, and psychedelic experimentation. Speech showcases the band at a creative peak during an adventurous time in British rock.

With help from bassist Louis Cennamo, we learn how he achieved that unique sound never before heard.

And get a load of this: with Louis' blessing, we were able to include snippets of a cou...

EPYSODE 78: Daughter Of Time by Colosseum.

Guest: Louis Cennamo.

Additional commentary by the Psychedelic Wizard, Uncle Herff.

Step into the innovative soundscape of 1970's Daughter of Time, by Colosseum. Known for its seamless fusion of progressive rock, jazz improvisation, and psychedelic textures, this album showcases the band at the height of their creative powers. Complex arrangements galore!

With help from bassist Louis Cennamo, we explore the tracks and the story behind this tremendous LP.

I hope you dig Daughter Of Time as much as I do.

Epysode 77: Renaissance, by Renaissance.

Guest: Renaissance bassist Louis Cennamo.

Additional commentary by the Psychedelic Wizard, Uncle Herff.

This week we step into the mesmerizing world of 1969's Renaissance, the debut album from the pioneering British band Renaissance. Far ahead of its time, this record blends progressive rock, psychedelic textures, and classical influences to create a soundscape that remains unique in the late 60s British rock scene. With their melodic arrangements, this album set a template for many of the prog bands that followed.

With help from Louis Cennamo, we'l...

Epysode 76: Roger The Engineer by The Yardbirds.

Additional commentary by Uncle Herff.

Step into the groundbreaking world of the album most commonly referred to as Roger the Engineer. Often overshadowed by the band’s popular hits, this record is a masterclass in British blues-rock, garage energy, and early psychedelia. Featuring the electrifying guitar work of Jeff Beck, this album captures the creative explosion of mid-60s London.

In a year that featured a long list of incredible albums, we explore why this one stands proudly among the best 1966 had to off...

Epysode 75: Tobacco Road by The Nashville Teens.

Additional commentary by Uncle Herff.

In 1964, at the height of the British Invasion, one of the rawest and most hard-driving R&B records to cross the Atlantic was “Tobacco Road” by The Nashville Teens. Gritty, blues-soaked, and powered by explosive vocals, this UK hit stood apart from the jangling pop dominating the charts and delivered a ferocious take on American blues rock.

This week, we dig into how “Tobacco Road” became a defining British R&B classic, examining its roots in American blues and its...

EPYSODE 74: Are You Serious? by Van Duren.

Guest: Van Duren.

Additional commentary by Uncle Herff.

In 1978, while punk was exploding and disco ruled the charts, a razor-sharp pop record quietly slipped through the cracks. Are You Serious? should have been a defining album of the late ’70s. Instead, it became a cult favourite whispered about by collectors and power pop devotees.

This week, we dig into the story behind this Memphis-born gem: the jangling guitars, the smart lyrics, and the Big Star–adjacent brilliance that makes this album one of...

EPYSODE 73: Shanti, by Shanti.

Guest: Shanti guitarist Neil Seidel.

Additional commentary by Uncle Herff.

This week we explore Shanti, the self-titled 1971 album that stands as one of the great crossroads records of the West Coast counterculture. While other bands dipped their toes into Eastern music, Shanti went all-in. Guitarist Neil Seidel joins us with exclusive commentary, reflecting on the band’s formation, its musical philosophy, and the creative environment that shaped the record. Together, we revisit an album that is equal parts jam-session, spiritual statement, and time capsule from an era...

Epysode 72: The Travel Agency by The Travel Agency.

Additional commentary by Uncle Herff.

This week we explore the self-titled album by The Travel Agency, a quietly adventurous record that drifted through the late-’60s underground and never quite found its audience. Blending folk-rock and studio psychedelia, the album feels like a band's debut record where they are trying to find their feet.

Over the years, it's become a bit of a cult-classic for some, while others dismiss it as nothing more than a throwaway from the era. Take a listen an...

EPYSODE 71: Story by Honeybus.

Guest: Honeybus guitarist Colin Hare.

Additional commentary by Uncle Herff.

This week we drop the needle on Story, the lone and luminous album from Honeybus, a band forever linked to one perfect song, yet capable of so much more. Blending baroque pop, pastoral psychedelia, and late-’60s studio ambition, Story captures a moment when British pop was quietly shifting gears. Guitarist Colin Hare joins us with exclusive commentary, sharing firsthand memories of the band’s creative highs, industry frustrations, and the strange afterlife of an album that sl...

EPYSODE 70: Black Kangaroo by Peter Kaukonen.

Guest: Peter Kaukonen.

Additional commentary by Uncle Herff.

This week we dive deep into Black Kangaroo, the cult-classic album by Peter Kaukonen.

This epysode features exclusive commentary from Peter himself, as he reflects on the album’s creation, the musical influences behind it, and the stories woven into its tracks. From the recording process to the legacy of the record on vinyl, this conversation offers rare insight for fans of classic albums, vinyl collectors, and listeners discovering it for the first time.

...

EPYSODE 69: Fields by Fields.

Guest: Richard Fortune (aka Richard Fortunato).

Additional commentary by Uncle Herff.

This week we drop the needle on the criminally overlooked, self-titled debut album from California psych-rock band Fields. Blending fuzz-drenched guitars with a West Coast vibe, Fields (1969) remains a rare and coveted LP among collectors, yet few know the story behind its creation.

Join us as we explore the band’s origins and why Fields has earned a cult following among psychedelic rock aficionados. Whether you’re a crate-digging vinyl hunter or a fan of l...

EPYSODE 68: Swaddling Songs by Mellow Candle.

Guest: Mellow Candle's Alison O'Donnell.

Additional commentary by my twin brother Maurice.

This week we drop the needle on a true cult classic. Released in 1972 and largely overlooked in its time, this singular album has since become a holy grail of progressive folk-rock, revered for its mysticism and haunting beauty.

Led by the spellbinding voices of Clodagh Simonds and Alison Williams (now Alison O'Donnell), Mellow Candle fused pastoral folk with progressive rock flourishes, baroque arrangements, and flashes of jazz and classical influence...

EPYSODE 67: Would You Believe by Billy Nicholls.

Guest: Billy Nicholls.

Additional commentary by Uncle Herff.

This week we present one of the most beautiful and bittersweet stories in 1960s British pop: Billy Nicholls’ legendary 1968 album Would You Believe. Hailed by critics, this shimmering psych-pop masterpiece was shelved before its proper release and went on to become one of the rarest and most sought-after records in the collector world.

We explore the album’s lush orchestration, studio craftsmanship, and the influence of the Immediate Records scene, including the key roles...

Epysode 66: Relatively Clean Rivers by Relatively Clean Rivers.

Additional commentary by Uncle Herff.

This week we drop the needle on one of the most elusive albums in psych-folk/rock history: the self-titled 1976 release by Relatively Clean Rivers. Join us as we explore the origins of this enigmatic project, the visionary mind of Phil Pearlman, and the winding path that turned this quietly released LP into a collector’s holy grail.

We break down the album’s dreamy acoustic textures and the unique blend of folk, country, and West Coast psychedelia that...

SPECIAL EPYSODE: The 2025 "In Memoriam" Fantasy Band Discussion.

GUESTS: Uncle Herff and Christian Swain.

In this special epysode, we honour the artists who left us in 2025 by building the ultimate “In Memoriam” Fantasy Band. Through reflection and a deep appreciation for their musical legacies, we imagine what it would sound like if these departed legends shared the same stage.

We discuss their standout contributions, the impact they made on their genres, and why their absence leaves such a lasting void. It’s part tribute, part creative celebration, and all heart. Whether...

In this special crossover epysode of Vinyl Relics, I’m sharing an episode from the Love That Album podcast where guests reflect on their favourite album discoveries of 2025. I’m honoured to be one of the guests, joining fellow music lovers to discuss the records that surprised us, moved us, and earned repeat spins this year. From unexpected finds to long-overlooked gems, this episode is a celebration of musical discovery and the albums that made 2025 unforgettable.

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EPYSODE 65: Tír na nÓg by Tír na nÓg.

Guest: Tír na nÓg's Leo O'Kelly.

Additional commentary by Uncle Herff.

This week, we journey back to 1971 to explore the mesmerizing self-titled debut by Irish folk-prog duo Tír na nÓg. Known for their intricate acoustic arrangements, poetic songwriting, and genre-blurring harmonies, Tír na nÓg carved out a sound unlike anything else on the early ’70s folk scene.

This week, we’re honoured to feature exclusive commentary from band member Leo O’Kelly, who sha...

EPYSODE 64: May Blitz by May Blitz.

Guest: May Blitz bassist Reid Hudson.

Additional commentary by Uncle Herff.

Fresh off our deep dive into As Sheriff’s lost 60's recordings, we follow the trail to London in 1970, where bassist Reid Hudson helped forge something far heavier. With guitarist Jamie Black and drummer Tony Newman, May Blitz delivered a self-titled debut that captured the raw, thunderous spirit of the era’s underground rock scene.
We spin through the album’s molten riffs, jazz-inflected rhythms, and acid-soaked atmosphere, an explosive mix that put the band i...

EPYSODE 63: Six Ways To The Ace by As Sheriff.

Guests: As Sheriff band members Reid Hudson and Andy Godon, Supreme Echo record label owner Jason Flower.

Additional commentary by Uncle Herff.

This week we dig deep into the hazy archives of Canada’s late-60s underground with "Six Ways to the Ace", a new release from Supreme Echo featuring the long-lost recordings of As Sheriff. Emerging from the Victoria/Vancouver scene, As Sheriff blended shimmering folk harmonies with a psychedelic edge, a sound as coastal as it was cosmic.

We e...

EPYSODE 62: Crazy Horse Roads by Stained Glass.

Guest: Stained Glass drummer Dennis Carrasco.

Additional commentary by Uncle Herff.

This week we trace the winding, electric path of Stained Glass through their powerful and often-overlooked 1970 album "Crazy Horse Roads", a burst of psychedelic energy from a band caught in the shifting tides of the West Coast scene.

With exclusive commentary from original drummer Dennis Carrasco, we explore the album’s varied styles, a stark evolution from their earlier, harmony-rich garage-psych sound. We dive into the tracks and the story as Car...

EPYSODE 61: MU by MU.

Guest: Merrell Fankhauser.

Additional commentary by Uncle Herff.

This week we journey into the cosmic unknown with "MU" , the cult 1971 debut album from Merrell Fankhauser’s post-H.M.S. Bounty band, formed with ex-Captain Beefheart guitarist Jeff Cotton (aka Antennae Jimmy Semens).

With exclusive commentary from Merrell himself, we uncover the origins of the band’s name (a nod to the mythical lost continent of MU), the spiritual inspiration behind the tracks, and the band’s eventual migration to Maui in search of metaphysical truth and be...

EPYSODE 60: Things! by Merrell Fankhauser & H.M.S. Bounty.

Guest: Merrell Fankhauser.

Additional commentary by Uncle Herff.

This week we resurrect one of the most intriguing and overlooked gems of the psychedelic era: "Things!", the lone LP by Merrell Fankhauser and H.M.S. Bounty.

With exclusive commentary from Merrell himself, we journey through the album’s sun-soaked melodies, acid-drenched lyrics, and fuzzed-out textures that reflect California’s transition from surf rock innocence to psychedelic introspection. Hear the backstory behind the tracks plus tales from the band’s brief brus...

EPYSODE 59: Kongos by John Kongos.

Guest: John Kongos.

Additional commentary by Uncle Herff.

This week we drop the needle on "Kongos", the 1972 cult-favourite album that fused glam rock, African rhythms, early sampling, and psychedelic textures long before such mashups became the norm.

With exclusive commentary from John Kongos, we explore the bold studio experimentation behind tracks like “He’s Gonna Step on You Again”, a UK Top 5 hit that famously used tape loops and tribal drums, influencing artists from Happy Mondays to U2.

Kongos shares firsthand stories a...

EPYSODE 58: Willie Nile, by Willie Nile.

Guest: Willie Nile.

Additional commentary by Uncle Herff.

This week we spotlight the electric, poetic debut of Willie Nile, whose 1980 self-titled album emerged straight from the streets of New York’s post-punk underground and instantly drew comparisons to Dylan, Springsteen, and Lou Reed.

With exclusive commentary from Willie himself, we revisit the making of this cult classic, recorded in the heart of Manhattan during a time when punk grit met folk wisdom. From the raw energy of “Vagabond Moon” to the street-lit soul of...

EPYSODE 57: Quill by Quill.

Guest: Quill band member Phil Thayer.

Additional commentary from Uncle Herff.

This week we spin the self-titled 1970 debut album by Quill, the Boston-based psychedelic rock band best known for opening day 2 of Woodstock and then seemingly vanishing into the mist of rock history.

Featuring exclusive commentary from Phil Thayer, Quill's multi-instrumentalist, we dive into the stories behind the band’s brief but electric rise, their unique fusion of psych, prog, and theatrical performance, and why their album never got the recognition it deserved...despite being...

EPYSODE 56: The New Hovering Dog by B.J. Cole.

Guest: B.J. Cole.

Additional commentary by my twin brother Maurice.

This week we explore the adventurous 1972 solo album from legendary pedal steel guitarist BJ Cole. Known for his groundbreaking work with artists like Elton John, David Gilmour, and John Cale, he fused progressive rock, country, and experimental textures into one of the most unique records of the early ’70s.

With exclusive commentary from BJ himself, we uncover the inspirations, studio sessions, and collaborations that brought this cult classic to l...

EPYSODE 55: Argus by Wishbone Ash.

Guest: Wishbone Ash band leader Andy Powell.

Additional commentary by Uncle Herff.

This week we revisit "Argus", the landmark third album by Wishbone Ash. Widely regarded as one of the greatest classic rock albums of all time, it defined the twin-lead guitar sound and blended progressive rock, hard rock, and folk influences into a timeless masterpiece.

With exclusive commentary from guitarist Andy Powell, we explore the creative process behind the album, the band’s unique dual-guitar harmonies, and how this record earned its place a...