Only Three Lads - Classic Alternative Music Podcast

This week, we have a little "dumb fun" and take a trip to the classic alternative monuments that we have erected in our minds. In this episode, we pick the five faces that we would put on our respective mountains. Five, you ask? Doesn't Mt. Rushmore only have four? You are correct, history buffs...but we felt like we had to one-up some rocks in South Dakota.  Take that, national landmark!   If the Lads seem a little, uh, weird this week, it's because Uncle Gregg has the 'Vid. We're not sure what Brett's excuse is. The good news for all of you is that it means that we cover a whole buncha unrelated topics that we are in no way qualified to talk about: Science-y stuff! Infectious diseases! Baby animals! Beer sponsorships! Soft drinks! Climate change!  Sports!  An inspirational message to Generation Whatever-You're-Called!   P.S. Kevin Rowland from Dexys, Random Guy from Pentatonix, Matthew Wilder and Yoko do not make it on our lists...but we'd pay to actually see that, wouldn't you!?!?   #musicpodcast #musicpodcasts #mtrushmore #classicalternativemusic #punkrock #postpunk #newwave #80smusic #90smusic #grunge #alternativerock #musiclegends #RIPRonnieSpector Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hey you! Don't listen to that, listen to THIS!   In our Season 3 premiere, we get even ruder and skankier than usual...and we totally mean that in the ska way, because we kick off the new year by counting down our Top 5 Ska Songs of the O3L era.   Our guest Lad this week is musician, author, blogger and podcaster Marc Wasserman. Wasserman's new book *SKA BOOM! An American Ska & Reggae Oral History* is the definitive chronicle of the history of ska and reggae in the U.S., as told through extensive interviews with some of the pivotal figures of the scene. It's an essential document for ska fans and alternative music buffs, available at https://www.diwulf.com.   Not only that, but Wasserman was an active participant in the history that he writes about, as the bassist and co-founder of the long-standing ska band Bigger Thomas and more recent projects such as Rude Boy George and Heavensbee. Marc knows his stuff, and we learned a ton from him.   So here's a message to you: Rudie can't fail...as long as he listens to O3L.  SKABOOM! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sure, there are a lot of parts of 2021 that we'd all like to make like a goldfish and forget. However, there were a lot of great songs that should be remembered and celebrated. That's exactly what we do in our Season 2 finale!   Meanwhile, Uncle Gregg makes his New Year's Resolutions...and Brett tries, but has already failed miserably. But there's one pressing question that we need to know - would you like us to assign someone to butter your muffin?!?   As we close out 2021, we thank you for making O3L a part of your year. We look forward to a great year ahead! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Merry Christmas from O3L!  Thank you for all of your support this year - it means the world to us!  In this short bonus, Lad Brett shares the Vargo Family's 2021 Musical Christmas Card - a new original holiday tune called "That Holiday Feeling."  The song features son Julian (18) on lead guitar and daughter Paisley (11) on trombones.  May you always be blessed with "that holiday feeling!"  Hope you had a chance to listen to Episode 91, with our top 5 albums of 2021.  Next up is our Top 5 Songs of 2021, before we head back into the classic alternative era for Season 3.  We can’t wait to see what next year has in store! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is part one of our Best of 2021 extravaganza, wherein we step out of the O3L era to discuss the albums that we're digging this year.  We've cooked up something very special for you this week - direct from Toronto, our special guests are the magnificent Ducks Ltd.!  The duo of Tom McGreevy and Evan Lewis join us to talk about their own rising career, as well as their favourite new records.   The band has enjoyed a remarkable 2021, recently releasing their debut full length album Modern Fiction, and racking up a slew of "Best of 2021" accolades from the likes of AllMusic, Paste, Exclaim, Stereogum and more.  Their smart, infectious brand of jangly guitar pop harkens back to '80s indie bands like The Go-Betweens, Felt, The Chills and The Bats, yet is no mere nostalgia exercise.  This is pure pop for now people, to borrow from Nick Lowe.   Ducks Ltd.: Music | Ducks Ltd. (bandcamp.com)   Stay tuned next week for our Top 5 Songs of 2021! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

'Tis the season for the 2nd Annual O3L Holiday Party! All the fun, frivolity, games and music without the nasty hangover...or the Pentatonix.   Joining us for our party this year is an international group of friends - Julio from Mexico, Rebecca from New Zealand, Julie from Southern California and Ryan from Idaho.   Since December is the month we let our freak flag fly, Brett brought his favorite holiday albums - any genre, any era - while Uncle Gregg tells us his Top 5 songs that you DON'T want to play at your Christmas party this year. Or maybe you DO want to play them if you have unwanted house guests this season. But don't worry...Uncle Gregg reveals his sensitive side too.   A jolly time is had by all. We said...Merry Christmas, sir!! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We kick off a fun filled December by counting down the EPIC songs of the O3L era (imagine some echo when you read that...it sounds much cooler that way). These are the 6+ minute long songs that riveted us, took us along on emotional journeys, and made us feel like we were dancing in bubbles. You'll just have to trust us on that last one...   In this epic episode, we cover a lot of ground - being thinkers, getting up before the cocks (those are roosters, you sicko), Charleton Heston, Rush, Bryan Adams, Saved By The Bell, and much more.   Stay tuned for the exciting shows we have in store for the remainder of Season 2, including our holiday special and best of 2021 episodes!   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Haven't gotten your fill of O3L this week? Well, don't worry, because we're giving you a second helping!   With today being Thanksgiving and all, this special episode is all about gratitude. Amongst the things for which we are most grateful: the amazing O3L community, each other, and Gwyneth Paltrow-scented candles. I mean, we could never show our gratitude as much as the band Brass Against, but we're still pretty darn fortunate and thankful.   Invite your friends and family to the O3L table, and start a new Thanksgiving tradition with us. Thank you, friends...we truly wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you!     Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we unleash our inner Durannie for an episode celebrating the Wild Boys themselves.  D-Squared.  Doo-ran Doo-ran.  Da-Doo Ran Ran Ran Da-Doo Ran Ran.  Birmingham's Finest.  The Fab Five.  OK, so before we run out of nicknames that the band never actually used, we're going straight down the ol' D-hole for our Top 5 Duran Duran Songs. You could say this one is BONKERS!     Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You gotta have faith-uh, faith-uh, faith in O3L, because we're heading straight back to 1987 this week!  So grab your crimping iron and acid washed jeans, and join us as we count down some of the finest classic alternative albums of the year. We have two "Third Lads" this episode (which makes four total, but you know we're not good at math n' stuff) - singer Tom Cheek and drummer Allen Wagner from Athens, GA's Kilkenny Cats!  In 1987, the band appeared in the definitive documentary Athens, GA - Inside/Out, in between their 1986 debut album Hands Down and 1988's Hammer EP.  The band's sound was dark and brooding, yet rocking and danceable, with critics scrambling to classify their music as "moody Southern goth," "hard driving college rock," and "pop-ish hypnotic indie dance rock" with "haunting melodies and blazing guitar."  In 1985, R.E.M.'s Mike Mills cited them as the number one band in Athens.  10,000 Maniacs and Pixies opened gigs for them.  This was a band that could have, and should have, been as huge as their reputations. Fortunately, their "Cat-alogue" (get it??) is back, remastered and available on streaming platforms, with vinyl and CD editions forthcoming.  Plus, we preview a couple of rare Kilkenny Cats' rarities!   For more information on Kilkenny Cats:  (3) Kilkenny Cats | Facebook       Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices