No Sleep Til Sudbury With Brent Jensen

Former Spoons and Honeymoon Suite keyboardist Rob Preuss is a great man and a great Canadian. And he makes his return to the No Sleep 'til Sudbury podcast with a fun Canuck twist! Rob brings in five songs that make his skin vibrate that were hits in Canada but nowhere else in the world (with the exception of maybe one of them). He's always been hilarious and super knowledgeable during our musical chats, and this conversation is no exception. We talk about the importance of musical democracy, The Wrecking Crew, The Partridge Family, Miss Saigon, and the myth behind the piano track on "Takin' Care of Business". Great, great fun.    Preuss' playlist: Sweet Blindness - National Poddy BTO - Takin' Care of Business Rufus Wainwright - Foolish Love Ray Materick - Linda Put The Coffee On The Kings - This Beat Goes On/Switchin To Glide 

We made it to 50! Joining me to celebrate are legendary Toronto on-air personality Lee Eckley and rising stars Cody J.R. Bowles and Kevin Comeau of Crown Lands. We figured we'd do something a little different for the 50th episode. The Crown Lands boys showed up with some gear, and while talking about the songs that make our skin vibrate, we jammed out a greasy Queen cover with Eckley on drums, Kev on bass, Cody singing and playing bongos, and me on guitar. I thank my guests for their patience with my mediocre guitar playing, and I appreciate them letting me in on the fun. Like the jam, the production of this episode is loose and raw, just as I like my rock & roll to be.   The 50th episode playlist: Led Zeppelin - Heartbreaker Bob Dylan - Time Out Of Mind (album) Genesis - Watcher of the Skies Queen - The Show Must Go On AC/DC - Sin City Queen - Dragon Attack (jam)              

Author of the new book The Legendary Horseshoe Tavern: A Complete History David McPherson joins me for a chat in Episode 49 of No Sleep 'til Sudbury. The book is an excellent testament to one of Canada's greatest all-time live music institutions, The Horseshoe Tavern in Toronto.  We discuss the 70th anniversary of the 'Shoe and some of the really great shows that have taken place there, and why live music is still so important today. We also chat about my favourite John Prine tune, KD Lang's incredible voice, The Black Crowes, and my beloved Joni Mitchell.   McPherson's playlist: John Prine - Hello In There KD Lang - Hallelujah Neil Young - Cortez The Killer Jimmy Buffett - He Went To Paris Joni Mitchell - The Circle Game        

Brother Zakk Wylde talks to me from his tour bus in Akron, Ohio about two lists of songs that make his skin vibrate - the first one is the 'exclusive' list best not shared beyond the tour bus, and the second being the more PG version. Zakk's hilarious and still a super genuine guy.     During our chat he tells some great Ozzy stories complete with a spot-on Oz impression, the importance of payola, what made Randy Rhoads so great, rock and roll genealogy, and what ingredients go into the Zakk Wylde 'soup'.         Wylde's playlist: Elton John - Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds Black Sabbath - Sabbath Bloody Sabbath (album) Al DiMeola - Land of the Midnight Sun (album) John McLaughlin - Anything   Frank Marino - The Power of Rock and Roll (album) Led Zeppelin - Led Zeppelin I (album)  Ozzy Osbourne - Diary of a Madman (album)          

In episode 47 of No Sleep 'til Sudbury, Rheostatics guitarist and prolific author Dave Bidini returns to the studio with a few more songs to discuss.  This time around we talk about a new Rheostatics record, Spanish roosters, Michael Stipe, the unsettling science experiment that was Devo, and the late great Stompin' Tom Connors.    Bidini's playlist: Ian Tyson - Gallo de Cielo REM - It's The End of the World Neil Young - Thrasher Jackson 5 - I Want You Back Stompin' Tom Connors - Bridge Came Tumbling Down  

Dave Bidini is a very interesting individual and one hell of a storyteller. Despite having a cold, Dave drops by the Spoke Club studio for Episode 46 to share the songs that make his skin vibrate. He tells some unbelievable stories about Stompin' Tom Connors wearing disguises to Rheostatics gigs, what it was like to record with Jimmy Page's amp and Bob Marley's ghost in the Bahamas, and what plays in the jukebox at Dave's home.   Bidini's playlist: Queen - Love of My Life Small Faces - Afterglow Bikini Kill - New Radio Propogandhi - Call Before You Dig Dusty Springfield - You Don't Have To Say You Love Me     

Up-and-coming indie singer songwriter Shawn William Clarke joins me in downtown Toronto for No Sleep 'til Sudbury episode 45 with the songs that make his skin vibrate. Shawn and I talk about the subtle eeriness of Supertramp, Dylan's Sinatra turn, mysterious Scottish band The Blue Nile, the record shop scene in Cologne, the importance of album track listing, and the pros and cons of today's music industry.       Clarke's playlist: Supertramp - School Miles Davis - In A Silent Way Bob Dylan - Ballad in Plain D The Blue Nile - The Downtown Lights Land of Talk - This Time 

Back for his No Sleep 'til Sudbury sophomore turn from the UK is my pal Joel McIver, one of my favourite writers and one hell of a good man. Joel proposed an idea for his second episode which I instantly liked - songs he believes will still be popular 100 years from now. Some of these song selections perplexed me when I first saw Joel's list, but the man's rationale stands up and it makes for some great discussion. We talk about the childish filth found in some Beatles lyrics (!), what it means to be a 'git', the curious popularity of the Foo Fighters, and the perceived future of heavy metal and popular music in general. Enjoy!   McIver's playlist: The Beatles - Back in the USSR Black Sabbath - War Pigs David Bowie - Changes Fairport Convention - Come All Ye Foo Fighters - Times Like These Ice T - New Jack Hustler Elvis Presley - That's All Right Mama        

Former Lowest of the Low guitarist Stephen Stanley returns to the studio following his NSTS Xmas episode with a whole new batch of songs. We talk about our views on Clapton, what the backstage area is like at the Horseshoe Tavern, the nostalgic power of KISS, seated versus standing at a rock show, American rock music's sweet spot, and the peculiar production techniques used to motivate Clash guitarist Mick Jones.     Stanley's Playlist: Johnny Mathis - Moon River Eric Clapton - I Shot The Sheriff KISS - Detroit Rock City Tom Petty - Shadow of a Doubt The Clash - Spanish Bombs Bob Dylan - Simple Twist of Fate Shawn William Clarke - In Conversation   

Happy New Year, friends. We're back at it with none other than drum colossus Mike Portnoy, formerly of Dream Theater and now playing with rock supergroup Sons of Apollo. Mike is an elite musician, widely considered to be one of greatest drummers in the world. He's also a great guy and a great guest. During our conversation we geek out on Bowie, KISS, and Radiohead, and he shares his experiences playing drums for Twisted Sister, his theory about Rush fans, the recent spate of rock and roll deaths, and how Dream Theater was like a musical Reese's Peanut Butter Cup.    Portnoy's playlist: The Beatles - A Day in the Life The Who - We're Not Gonna Take It/See Me Feel Me/Listening To You David Bowie - Space Oddity Yes - Heart of the Sunrise Radiohead - Paranoid Android      

Alright, we're doing something a little different tonight. Episode 41 is a previously unreleased, impromptu episode recorded during a night of drinking with my neighbour and close friend, mister Johnny Belton. The episode was recorded in early 2017 and shelved, but I decided recently it would be fun to put out there. We had a lot of fun doing it, so I thought the listenership may enjoy this organic, more informal version of NSTS. And hey - it's Christmas. On that topic, this will be the last episode to air before the holiday break - NSTS will return Tuesday, January 9 with a very well-known rock star guest. I wish you the very best the holiday season can bring my friends, and I thank you sincerely for listening. Happy holidays!       Belton's playlist: Max Webster - The Party Soul Asylum - Misery Bruce Springsteen - Tenth Avenue Freeze Out The Clash - Train in Vain Frank Zappa - Why Does It Hurt When I Pee? Living Color - Cult of Personality The Rolling Stones - Waiting on a Friend        

Former Lowest of the Low frontman Stephen Stanley joins me on episode 40 to do a Christmas edition of No Sleep 'til Sudbury. We chat about his new group The Stephen Stanley Band and their excellent new record, Jimmy & The Moon, and then we get into the holiday tunes that make his skin vibrate.  Also discussed is the ironic fact that many Christmas songs were in fact written by Jewish composers, the amazing career of Darlene Love, and how Paul McCartney's "Wonderful Christmastime" continues to be reviled year after year. Poor Macca.   Stanley's playlist: Andy Williams - Sweet Little Jesus Boy Barbra Streisand - The Christmas Song Bob Dylan - Do You Hear What I Hear Elvis Presley - Holly Leaves and Christmas Trees  John Denver - Aspenglow Ray Coniff Singers - Jolly Old St Nick Medley Sandler & Young - Hark The Herald Angels Sing Darlene Love - Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)    

Joining me on the show this week is author and radio & television host of Living Fearlessly Lisa McDonald, who brings in all manner of musical genres with her No Sleep 'til Sudbury skin vibration playlist.   We chat about Led Zeppelin drum samples, the Radiohead Toronto stage collapse disaster (she was there), and lovely "Mimi on the Beach" composer Jane Siberry. All this in less than 25 minutes - Lisa could have brought in a second playlist! And by the way, the name we can't come up with at the beginning of the program? It's Andrew Lloyd Webber.    McDonald's playlist:   Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman - Time To Say Goodbye   Enigma - Return to Innocence   Tori Amos - A Sorta Fairytale   Radiohead - High & Dry   Jane Siberry - Love is Everything  

Everyone's favourite curmudgeon Chris 'The Pink Chief' Long calls into the show - not to talk about songs that make his skin vibrate, but to share his view of the world from the DJ booth. He gets a pass for flouting the show format though, because music is still the theme, and the stories he tells about the people he's interacted with as a DJ are so sad, bewildering, and compelling. People may open up to the bartender, but according to Long, they REALLY open up to the guy responsible for their soundtrack for the evening.   And in some cases, pull the odd gun on him.     

If you're a Canadian music fan of my vintage, you'll surely remember The Spoons and Honeymoon Suite. Rob Preuss played keyboards in both those bands, and he tells some great stories from those days in Episode 37 of No Sleep 'til Sudbury. He joined The Spoons when he was only 15 (!), went on to Honeymoon Suite from there, and then later became the associate musical director for Broadway production Mamma Mia, and also played some piano in the Phantom of the Opera orchestra pit. During our conversation he stays true to the basic format of the show, talking about the songs that have made his skin vibrate over the course of his life and why. We also discuss our mutual childhood fondness for David Cassidy. Great guest, great chat.   Preuss' playlist: Honeymoon Suite - Bad Attitude Billy Joel - Scenes From An Italian Restaurant Helen Reddy - Angie Baby Genesis - Deep in the Motherlode The Partridge Family - Summer Days

Episode 36 of No Sleep Til Sudbury takes place in Wilton, Connecticut, conducted from two comfy chairs inside the home belonging to my pally from the valley, mister Ian O'Malley. I'd heard a lot of the hilarious stories from his VH1 days previously, but not these - among them his drunken nickname for Sting, Keith Richards' preferred method of quaffing scotch, and Roger Waters' rules when meeting fans. O'Malley is one hell of a storyteller, and he blends sentiment with humour without peer. You gotta hear this.    O'Malley's playlist: Pink Floyd - On The Turning Away The Rolling Stones - Slave The Police - Invisible Sun Tom Petty - Wildflowers Rush - 2112 

Want your mind blown? Listen to this episode. Semiotic researcher Charles Leech drops by to explain how and why we get goosebumps when we hear certain songs, and how rock music almost didn't exist if not for a guy called Palestrina. Charles relates some utterly fascinating facts and logic surrounding the science of music in this episode. I'm still shaking my head.   Leech's playlist: Palestrina - Missa Papae Marcelli   Richard Wagner - Prelude, and Liebestod New Order - The Perfect Kiss Grouplove - Tongue Tied The Beatles - She Loves You Dear Rouge - Wanna Wanna Silversun Pickups - Drained Annie Lennox - Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye Colin Hay - I Just Don't Think I'll Get Over You Nick Drake - River Man 

Jamie Blaine is a guy I could talk music with for days and days. In Episode 34, Jamie and I contemplate Halloween and talk about some Halloween-ish bands and their music. You know - KISS, Alice Cooper, Marilyn Manson, and so on. No real playlist this time, but the chat is great and gets a little deeper than I anticipated.   Happy Halloween! 

Hunters Bay Radio 88.7FM's on-air personality and afternoon drive host Sarah Coombs joins me for Episode 33 of the No Sleep 'til Sudbury episode series. Sarah is doing some very cool stuff at Hunters Bay Radio - no format! Just like WKRP! Sarah's playlist features a little bit of everything - some aggression, some sadness, some happiness, and some chill. And, something impossibly cool happens at 4:03. Check it out!     Coombs' playlist: Sinead O'Connor - Troy Rage Against The Machine - Killing In The Name Of... Nine Inch Nails - Something I Can Never Have The Pixies - Broken Face Martin Sexton - Diggin' Me

Making his triumphant return to the No Sleep 'til Sudbury show for episode 32 is mister Jay Jay French, back to talk about Lou Reed, David Bowie, The Beatles, and loads of other things. Jay Jay also concedes that the Canadian Rockies are better than the American Rockies, what he stole from Judas Priest, the songs he used to soundcheck with Twisted Sister, and the Eagles song they used to cover(!). He also gives me a metaphor that I'm totally stealing for my next book.   French's playlist: The Beatles - Side Two of Abbey Road David Bowie - Oh! You Pretty Things David Bowie - Changes AC/DC - Whole Lotta Rosie Mott The Hoople - All The Young Dudes Velvet Underground - White Light, White Heat Lou Reed - Walk on the Wild Side Lou Reed - Satellite of Love Oasis - Live Forever Oasis - Don't Look Back in Anger