No Sleep Til Sudbury With Brent Jensen

Canadian rock singer Suzi Kory is a woman who goes after what she wants. And in NSTS Episode 62, you'll see that she gets it. Suzy drops by the studio to talk about the songs that make her skin vibrate, and she shares some pretty incredible stories in the bargain - meeting Axl Rose and Jim Cuddy, playing The Whiskey in Los Angeles, and her views on what sexiness truly is. It would be a mistake to underestimate this woman, friends.       Kory's playlist: Guns N’ Roses – Welcome To The Jungle Barbra Streisand – Make It Like A Memory Notre Dame de Paris – Bohemienne Stevie Nicks – Landslide Blue Rodeo – After The Rain  

It's my distinct pleasure to introduce this week's No Sleep 'til Sudbury guest, former Joydrop lead singer and current Sportsnet Hometown Hockey co-host Tara Slone. Tara joins me in person to talk about the songs that make her skin vibrate, and the result is a great discussion in which she graciously shares some fantastic stories, insights, and laughs.    In this episode T and I have an emotional chat about Bowie's final album, the soundtrack to her grade 9 crush, how Hall & Oates made a surprise appearance on her final playlist, the impact of The Ramones on her life, and the artist that she and Ron McLean both love. And if that's not enough, she even does a little singing!         Slone's playlist: George Michael - Father Figure David Bowie – Blackstar Jeff Buckley – Hallelujah Red Hot Chili Peppers – Knock Me Down Ramones – Rock and Roll High School Toto – Rosanna Pretenders – Middle of the Road Tom Petty – Only a Broken Heart Mew – The Zookeepers Boy Leh-Lo – 2 out of 3 Blinker the Star – Below the Sli

On the 40th anniversary of the release of the KISS solo records, friend of the show and KISS lunatic Chris 'The Pink Chief' Long joins me this week from Florida to talk about the songs from those records that make his skin vibrate (spoiler alert - they all do). I wisely limited The Chief to 6 selections, and here's what he came back with:   Chief's playlist: Paul Stanley - Tonight You Belong To Me Paul Stanley - Hold Me Touch Me Ace Frehley - Rip It Out Ace Frehley - Speeding Back To My Baby Gene Simmons - See You Tonight Peter Criss - I'm Gonna Love You     

Returning to the studio for NSTS episode #60 is former Jitters frontman Blair Packham, to cover off the songs we didn't get to during his first appearance in episode #58. Blair is a compelling guest for a lot of reasons, two of those being his great sense of humour and the visceral insight he provides while dissecting the songs that make his skin vibrate. During this week's chat Blair and I discuss the particulars of Squeeze's songwriting, the dark origins of MTV's Unplugged series, Blair's Jitters days playing alongside bands like Rheostatics and Blue Rodeo, and a reconsideration of Bob Marley.   Packham's playlist: Squeeze - Is That Love? Jules Shear - This Primal Fire Bob Dylan - It's All Over Now Baby Blue Bob Marley - War The Beatles - Hey Bulldog   

This week on No Sleep 'til Sudbury I'm thrilled to host one of my favourite guitar players from my early teen years, Autograph's Steve Lynch. Steve was one of the earliest innovators of fretboard tapping. After hearing Autograph's 80s megahit "Turn Up The Radio" in my car recently, I called Steve up to do the show and talk about the songs that make his skin vibrate.      Steve brings in some great tunes and recounts some cool stories from his Autograph days on Los Angeles' Sunset Strip, including how the band shot guns in the studio to incorporate into their snare drum mixes, and how Van Halen's tour manager warned Steve not to tap during their set because it was "Eddie's thing" when they opened for VH in 1985.  Lynch's playlist: The Rolling Stones - Sympathy for The Devil Led Zeppelin - Ramble On Charlie Sexton - Cry Little Sister Jimi Hendrix - The Wind Cries Mary  Small Faces - Itchycoo Park The Beatles - And I Love Her Led Zeppelin - The Rain Song    

Canadian veteran singer songwriter and former lead singer of The Jitters Blair Packham joins me live in the studio this week to talk about the multitude of projects he has on the go these days, and he brings in some great songs and tremendously thoughtful lyrical insights to chat about. Blair really gets the show's gist, and his perspectives bolster some great discussion. Blair and I talk about our common fondness for sad songs, our love for John Prine and Elvis Costello, the absurdity of musical guilty pleasures, and whether or not people will be talking about latest musical trend reggaeton in twenty five years. Probably not.   Packham's playlist: Steve Goodman - The Dutchman John Prine - Far From Me Elvis Costello - I Want You   Jennifer Warnes - Song of Bernadette Ron Hynes - A Good Dog Is Lost     

Seattle novelist and friend of the show Sean Beaudoin returns with more cool tunes in episode 57 of No Sleep 'til Sudbury. Sean consistently brings in really great songs, often by artists I've never heard of, so it's always great and very educational to chat music with him. Sean's songs all represent an individual theme and this time around, we cover musical plagiarism, selling out, platform shoes with fish in the heels, death threats from metal fans, and the potential for Sean to seek Canadian asylum. I'd happily offer it to him. Beaudoin's playlist: Joe McPhee - Shakey Jake Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros - Get Down Moses Bert Jansch - Black Waterside Truckfighters - Desert Cruiser Paul Pena - Cosmic Mirror    

It was my pleasure to host Grapes of Wrath vocalist/guitarist Kevin Kane in the studio for Episode 56 of NSTS. I really admired this band during my university years, as a lot of their songs really resonated with me and still do. Kevin still performs with Grapes, but is now also a member of The Northern Pikes, another great Canadian band. Kev and I have a great chat about the songs that make his skin (as he puts it) "wiggle", in addition to other things, such as how Steve Winwood got his Hammond organ sound, Jimmy Page as a hired gun, his obsession with the Stones' Exile On Main Street, why Chuck Berry records are scary, the making of the "All The Things I Wasn't" video, and what the four components of a classic album really are. And, as he often does, David Bowie works his way into the conversation.    Kane's playlist: Shack - Natalie's Party Talk Talk - Desire Go Betweens - Cattle and Cane Sloan - The Good In Everyone Queen and David Bowie - Under Pressure Roy Harper - Commune The Rolling Stones - Rocks Off

Bob Mayo joins me via Skype from the Boston area for this week's episode of No Sleep 'til Sudbury. Bob is the former bassist of thrash metal act Wargasm, and he writes an absolutely killer music blog called Mayonoise which I highly recommend. Bob discusses some impressive insights on Cheap Trick and the oft-overlooked depth of their lyrics. We also discuss Blue Oyster Cult's relationship with Black Sabbath, Dave Mustaine's attitude, our perspectives on AC/DC's formula, and why we'll be friends for a very long time.    Mayo's playlist: Motorhead - The Hammer Blue Oyster Cult - Don't Fear The Reaper Cheap Trick - Auf Weidersehen AC/DC - Gone Shootin' Megadeth - Holy Wars/The Punishment Due Budgie - Napoleon Bona Parts I and II Opeth - The Grand Conjuration               

My guest this week touches on all the aspects that make for a really great show - engagement, keen insight, great stories, interesting little known facts, honesty, and humour. CEO of content marketing agency Church + State with a background in comedy, Ron Tite brings in the songs that make his skin vibrate for a variety of reasons, and the result is an extremely enjoyable conversation.  Ron recounts a Johnny Cash show where he was too drunk to perform, Erica Ehm's take on The Barenaked Ladies, and the Beastie Boys' opinion of Slayer guitar solos being inserted into their songs. He also tells some cool stories about Bourbon Tabernacle Choir, Moby, and Eddie Murphy. Brilliant episode.      Tite's playlist: George Jones - Who's Gonna Fill Their Shoes The Beastie Boys - No Sleep 'til Brooklyn She Stole My Beer - Sparks Off The Guardrail Luciano Pavarotti performing Puccini - Nessun Dorma Jason Mraz - I'm Yours  

NSTS episode 53 is part two of my chat with former Melody Maker journalist Chris Charlesworth. Chris has so many personal stories about rock stars like David Bowie that I just sit back and let him lay them all out. Chris talks about Bowie's death and what it was like to be his press officer, which ABBA member had stage fright, how the bass player is the secret weapon of most bands, and the celebrity he found himself sitting behind at Wembley during a Stone Roses show.      Charlesworth's playlist: David Bowie - Heroes ABBA - One Of Us REM - Perfect Circle Stone Roses - Ten Storey Love Song Gillian Welch - Elvis Presley Blues  

If you want to hear some absolutely fascinating stories about Elvis, John Lennon, and the guys from Led Zeppelin and The Who, listen to this episode. Legendary Melody Maker journalist and former Omnibus Press managing editor Chris Charlesworth is someone who occupied the inner circles of many a rock star in the 60s and 70s, including those named above along with several others. Over the phone from the UK, Chris provides some highly-detailed insights regarding his relationships with Pete Townshend and The Who, what it was like to FLY LED ZEPPELIN'S PLANE (!), and Chris' experiences with John Lennon, including John's phone call to Chris saying it was 'Johnny Beatle' calling. Incredibly entertaining personal stories about rock's largest legends, from an equally legendary rock writer. Do not miss this.              Charlesworth's playlist: Elvis Presley - Mystery Train The Who - Substitute The Kinks - Waterloo Sunset The Beatles - Don't Let Me Down Led Zeppelin - Rock and Roll    

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