Center Stage: An Abandoned Albums Podcast

Episode 405 - Manda Rin of Bis

Bis are a Scottish indie pop band composed of Steven Clark (Sci-Fi Steven), John Clark (John Disco), and Amanda MacKinnon (Manda Rin), formed in 1994. The band's name, rhymes with 'this.'
The name originates from the song "Black Iron Skyline" by The The.
The three musicians formed Bis in late 1994 while Rin and Disco were in secondary school,Woodfarm High School, and Steven, who had recently finished there. After releasing their first singles, Transmissions On The Teen-C Tip! and Disco Nation 45 the following year, they appeared on BBC Television's Top of the Pops in 1996, performing "Kandy Pop" from their The Secret Vampire Soundtrack EP - ahead of its release. 
After releasing numerous cult EPs and three studio albums (1997's The New Transistor Heroes, 1999's Social Dancing, and 2001's Return To Centr,al) the band broke up in 203, but re-formed briefly in 2007 for a series of concerts. In 2009 thce again re-formed (adding a bass player and a drummer to the band lineup) and released the album data Panik etcetera in 2014. 
The album Slight Disconnects was released in February 2,019 with the band lineup returning to the original core three-piece. An archival album, Music For Animations, consisting of music recorded in 2004 fthe or CBBC kids TV show BB3B, was released in 2020. In 2021 the band self-released a cassette-only live album entitled The Fan Club Tapes Vol. 1 - Live In Toulouse 1997 (their second self-released live album after Play Some Real Songs in 2001). Low Level (A Return To Central Travel Companion) - a CD consisting of previously unreleased material recorded during the Return To Central sessions - was also released in 2021. 
In October 2022, Systems Music For Home Defence was released, which Sci-Fi Steven has described as the band's "rave" album.
 
LINKS
Bis on Bandcamp
Bis on YouTube
Polyphonic: Riot Grrrl: The '90s Movement that Redefined Punk
Grand Royal Records
The The
Huggy Bear - Band
Super Furry Animals
BB3B
SNL Sketch: ”If it’s not Scottish, it's crap.”

Episode 404 - Jimmy Ashhurst of Izzy Stradlin and the Ju Ju Hounds

What can be said about Jimmy Ashhurst? 
Rock–n-roll troubadour? CHECK
Bass player with creative wanderlustlust? CHECK
Rock Star? CHECK
Nice guy? CHECK
Great storyteller? CHECK
Musical Ambassador? CHECK
Geopolitical operative? HUH?
Jimmy returns to Abandoned Albums to chat up Izzy Stradlin and the Ju Ju Hounds. A record firmly embedded on Keith’s desert island list.
Jimmy’s also holds the distinction (such as it is) as appearing on another of the albums on Keith's list - Broken Homes debut album. 
Izzy Stradlin and the Ju Ju Hounds is a great rock and roll record.
Had it been released in 1974 as opposed to 1992, there is NO doubt that band would be legendary. But alas, it twas not to be… the album still kicks a high degree of ass!!
LINKS
Shuffle It All Video
Interview with Melody Lane
What happened to the Ju Ju Hounds?
Ju Ju Hounds Wiki
2 Fast 2 Die - Jimmy Ashhurst
Wind of Change Podcast
Ginger Wildheart
Charlie Quintana
Rick Richards
Izzy Stradlin
 

Episode 403 - Ryan Humbert of The Shootouts

The Shootouts create “country music for people who don’t like country.” 
Keith, Geoff, and Rufus can confirm. 
They got a chance to chat about The Shootouts when lead singer, guitarist, and chief shooter Ryan Humbert stopped by Thunderlove Studio. 
The band didn’t expect to be back in the studio so soon after the release of their Top 10 Americana album Bullseye. But when one of country music’s most legendary artists agrees to produce your next record, you don’t say no. 
 That’s what happened when a mutual friend introduced the band to Ray Benson –  longtime frontman and 10-time Grammy-winning founder of Asleep at the Wheel. Just months after the April 2021 release of Bullseye, the Shootouts found themselves hard at work with Benson and co-producer Sam Seifert on the album that would become Stampede. 
 While it may have come together quickly, the sessions resulted in the group’s strongest album yet.
Again, Keith, Geoff, and Rufus can confirm. 
 Stampede is steeped in all things country music – an energetic fusion of Americana, honky tonk and Western swing that will leave you craving more. Not only are the The Shootouts four members front and center, but the list of artists who stopped by to contribute is like an Americana fans wet dream:
Asleep at the Wheel (in addition to Ray Benson producing)
Buddy Miller
Jim Lauderdale
Raul Malo (of The Mavericks) 
And the legendary Marty Stuart
This is a great conversation with a great guy about a great band that has a great album queued up and ready to drop on February 24.
Listen as Keith, Geoff, and Ryan talk about all, and we mean ALL, kinds of things.
This is a gud’un folks! 
Put on your helmet and strap yourselves in!
LINKS(the stuff we mention or refer to in the episode)
The Shootouts
The Shootouts Tour 2023
Country Cast - News Story Jason Isbell Quits CMA  
The Shootouts at Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame
The Shootouts at Music Box Supper Club 
Music Box Supper Club Website
Chuck Mead
The Mavericks
Raul Malo
Asleep at the Wheel
Ray Benson
The Americana Round-Up Radio Show
The Summit Radio Station
Big Chuck and Little John
Michael Stanley
Donnie Iris

Episode 402 - Tierney Tough of The Pauses

The Pauses released their first album, A Cautionary Tale, in 2011 through New Granada Records.
The band recorded the album with producer J. Robbins of Jawbox fame in Baltimore, MD, at The Magpie Cage. 
Lead singer Tierney Tough stopped by Thunderlove Studios to chat with Geoff and Keith about The Pauses and take a deep dive into their second album - Unbuilding - from 2018.
Like its predecessor, it was produced by J. Robbins of Jawbox.
Said BrooklynVegan of the release: “…it’s got a little of the off-kilter mathy guitars of the DC/Dischord scene that birthed J Robbins, plus bouncy Mates of States-y synths, and singer Tierney Tough has a delightfully dry delivery that brings to mind Speedy Ortiz or Liz Phair.” - can confirm.
A great interview was had. Give it a listen, you'll see... and you'll fall in love with The Pauses. Just ask Geoff.
LINKS
The Pauses on Bandcamp
The Pauses on Facebook
The Pauses website
Live on Audiotree
Tierney Tough Solo
Flickchart.com
Unbuilding by David Macaulay
Brutalism
Charles and Ray Eames 
The Architect and the Painter Documentary 
Clara Rockmore
Jawbox
David Cross Henderson Valley Eggs
The Bird Machine
Dianogah (band)
Flatstock
Mock Orange Band
Slothrust (band)

Episode 401 - Steve Brooks of Torche and Floor

WELCOME TO SEASON 4
Comin in HOT!!
Keith & Geoff sit down with Steve Brooks of both Torche and Floor. 
Torche was formed in 2004 and has released five full-length studio albums, four EPs, two split albums, and three singles.They released their fifth full-length studio album, Admission, on July 12, 2019.In May 2022, founding frontman Steve Brooks announced the upcoming tour supporting Meshuggah would be his last with the band, stating, “We’re a few months away from the last tour I’m doing with Torche," he writes:
"We’ve been so very lucky and went far beyond what I imagined. I just don’t have it in me to keep this going, living on opposite sides of the country. Much love to my band members and everyone that supported us these 18 years!”We got to talk to him!
LINKS
Torch Website
Torch Wiki
Floor (the band) Wiki
Torch “Collateral Damage” Video
Torch “Annihilation Affair” Video
“Bat Pisses In Torche Guitarists Eye” - Pitchfork 
Robotic Empire Records
Volcom Entertainment
"The only music podcast that matters."

Episode 313 - Ronnie Barnett & Geoff Calhoun on Van Halen

So, this is the last episode for our third season... and it's the final episode of 2022.  
We could think of no better way to go out than having our old friend Ronnie Barnett stop by and Geoff Calhoun pop 'round to discuss one of our all-time favorite bands - the MIGHTY VAN HALEN!!
The question of what version of the band is better - the one with David Lee Roth or the one with Sammy Hagar - has been a topic of discussion for fans of the band for over 35 years now. Now, no disrespect intended, but the Gary Cherone version didn't make the cut.
Obviously, this topic is wildly subjective and wickedly charged depending on how many drinks you've had... and your audience.
The lads make no attempt to solve the question about which lead singer did it best, but they do take a look at one album from the Roth era, Women and Children First, and one from the Hagar era, 5150. Under the watchful eye of EP Rufus Thunderlove, they kept it both civil and fun.
Remember to have a few drinks this holiday season and spark this Van Halen conversation with your music friends. What could go wrong?
Abandoned Albums will return with a shiny new episode on January 11, 2023.
Thank you ALL for everything this year.
From Thunderlove Manor and Thunderlove Studios, we wish you all a very happy holiday season. 
LINKS
Ronnie Barnett on IG
Geoff Calhoun on IG
Sammy and The Circle on Howard Stern (2019)
Kids Reaction Video to “Eruption”
David Lee Roth on Good Morning America  (1985)
Dave Pissed Off at Van Halen (1986)
David Lee Roth Interview with Steve Rosen (1980) 
Absurd TV Performance of “And the Cradle Will Rock” (1980 - American Bandstand)
David Lee Roth Vocal Track from “Runnin’ With the Devil”
David Lee Roth on Opie and Anthony (2105?)
DLR on cultural impact of Van Halen (2019)

BONUS EPISODE -- Broken Homes Anniversary Redux - Producers Cut

One year ago, I hit “Publish Now” on the first episode of Abandoned Albums.
I had no idea what I was doing. Fortunately, I learned rather quickly, and over the past year, the show has evolved into what it is now a pretty damn good podcast. 
Luckier still is that I didn’t do too much to this episode because it was still pretty damn good!
The origin of Abandoned Albums is found here on this inaugural episode’s album selection - the 1986 debut record by the LA-based band Broken Homes. 
This self-titled debut captures Broken Homes at that perfect moment. A band with all the talent (as witnessed by what everyone did after the band's dissolution) and momentum going for them. Unfortunately, they didn’t have what was needed most, the support of a good rock and roll record label. If the band had been signed to Geffen Records instead of MCA Records, I am 1000% confident; I would not be writing this now.
[Listen to the Steve Isaacs episode to hear a funny acronym of what MCA stands for.]
When Broken Homes stepped into the studio with producer Jeff Eyrich, the band was undoubtedly firing on all cylinders. You’ll have to listen to the podcast to find out why one member didn’t make the grade for Eyrich despite this. The guy wasn’t fired; they just brought in a studio wizard to cover his part. Sorry, no spoilers… ya gotta listen.
The energy and excitement are palpable throughout the record, but if you need proof, listen to “It’s All Over Now” - arguably, one of the better album closers.
Check out the full article over on our Substack - sign up while you're there!
LINKS:
Jimmy Ashhurst on Instagram
Craig Ross on Instagram
Mike Doman
Craig Aaronson - Obituary from Alternative Press
Jeff Eyrich
Broken Homes on Spotify
“Steeltown Bluestown” Video
Michael Goldstone
Linda Draper (Produced by Jeff Eyerich)
Broken Homes: An Album You Should Know

Episode 312 - Jordon Zadorozny of Blinker the Star

Blinker the Star is Jordon Zadorozny, and Jordon Zadorozny is Blinker the Star.
The Canadian solo artist has created eleven albums (both major label and indie) and worked with musicians as varied as Leland Sklar (bass player with the big bushy grey beard... you know him), Ken Andrews, and one of his childhood heroes, Lindsey Buckingham (a couple of great stories in the podcast... no spoilers). 
Jordon spent some time in Los Angeles in the 90s, recording the Dreamworks album August Everywhere. While in LA he even lent a helping hand to Courtney Love with  Hole's album Celebrity Skin.
It's a testament to his strength that he survived both. 
Jordon remains artistically active, having just released Love Oblast, and is a producer working from his studio Skylark Studio in Pembroke, Ontario.
Jordon stopped by Thunderlove Sutdio to talk to Keith and Geoff about all things Blinker the Star... and how he got his hero Lindsey Buckingham to share writing credit with him.
Check it out!
Links
Blinker the Star on Bandcamp
Blinker the Star on Spotify
Jordon Z on IG
Blinker the Star on IG
Blinker the Star on YouTube
Skylark Park Studio
Geoff Calhouns Blinker the Star Spotify Playlist
Kellii Scott
Lusk Band
Failure (the band) 
Ken Andrews