No Sleep Til Sudbury With Brent Jensen

Twisted Sister founder and guitarist Jay Jay French joins me in episode 23 to discuss Sister, his slew of new and intriguing projects, and of course, his playlist. Jay Jay and I talk about my first ever concert (Twisted Sister opening for Iron Maiden) and his frigid trek across Canada in December 1984, how his guitars (like his wife's shoes) seem to copulate overnight, how Johnny Cash approached him for his autograph in Toronto, why 1967 was such an important year in music, and what it was like to audition for KISS in 1972 before Ace Frehley joined the band. All this and a chat about his unusual obsession with The Beatles too!   French's playlist: Chuck Berry - School Days The Beatles - I Want To Hold Your Hand Bob Dylan - Don't Think Twice It's Alright Paul Butterfield Blues Band - Born in Chicago Albert King - Crosscut Saw Pink Floyd - See Emily Play David Bowie - Five Years             

Seattle editor and author of Welcome Thieves Sean Beaudoin joins me via Skype to talk about one of the most unique and compelling playlists ever submitted to the No Sleep Til Sudbury podcast series. Sean supports his playlist with eloquence, interesting facts, and hilarious stores surrounding his experiences with these songs. Listen along as he tells us what his father thought Husker Du really meant, why being at a Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds show is akin to witnessing the inner workings of a cult, the dangers of being a Blue Oyster Cult fan, why he turned his Firm t-shirt inside out, and how he proved he was a real Captain Beefheart fan.     Beaudoin's playlist: The Doors - The Changeling Soft Machine - Hope for Happiness Syd Barrett - Octopus Miles Davis - On The Corner Stiff Little Fingers - Suspect Device Blue Oyster Cult - Hot Rails To Hell The Minutemen - Ain't Talkin Bout Love Captain Beefheart - Lick My Decals Off, Baby  Husker Du - Pink Turns To Blue Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds - Red Right Hand     

In the most candid episode of No Sleep Til Sudbury to date, comedian and Sirius XM on-air personality Allison Dore shares some very honest and personal insights from her formative years as reflected through the playlist she created for the show. Musically and emotionally, there's a little bit of everything. Allison takes us through her love/hate relationship with cowboys, her perspectives on Steve Earle, and our weakness for the 'crafty' types. But most importantly, Allison shares an important message surrounding mental health that shouldn't be ignored.        Dore's playlist: Hank Williams Jr. - Family Tradition The Beastie Boys - She's Crafty  Steve Earle - Angry Young Man Steve Miller - The Joker The Emotions - Best of My Love  Blue Rodeo - Try Britney Spears - Stronger Destiny's Child - So Good Lennon Stella and Maisy Stella - Joy Parade 

In NSTS episode 020, I'm joined by New York filmmaker Chris Cassidy to talk about his upcoming documentary Dennis and Lois, which chronicles the fascinating story of a couple who have lived out their rock and roll dreams for more than 30 years. Chris' playlist is centred around the film's soundtrack, featuring an assortment of bands that interacted with Dennis and Lois. As we discuss the songs, Chris shares the details behind the towel containing Joe Strummer's DNA, how Dennis and Lois procured the dirty socks of the Gaye Bykers on Acid, and what it was like to watch bands at CBGB alongside Lou Reed playing pool.   As this is an independent documentary film, a Kickstarter campaign has been launched and contributions can be made here. Dennis and Lois is slated for a late 2017 release.   Cassidy's playlist: The Ramones - Blitzkrieg Bop The Mekons - Where Were You? The Happy Mondays - Dennis and Lois Fat White Family - Whitest Boy on the Beach The Bogmen - Oceans Apart   

Killer Dwarfs singer Russ Dwarf and I get his birthday festivities started a day early in Episode 019 of No Sleep Til Sudbury, as Russ takes me through the playlist of songs that make his skin vibrate over a few Sapporos. All the important stuff gets covered - classic Sudbury landmarks like The Coulson and the Brockdan, opening for Iron Maiden at Wembley and Hammersmith, The Dwarfs' very first gig in Oshawa, and what it's like to sing Rush songs alongside Rush's own Alex Lifeson.  Happy birthday, Russ!   Russ' playlist: Alice Cooper - Generation Landslide Rick Derringer - Uncomplicated Rush - Anthem Max Webster - On the Road Motorhead - Killed By Death       

Look who's back! The Pink Chief, Chris Long, makes his triumphant return to the No Sleep Til Sudbury podcast. In this episode, The Chief completely flouts my format and does something completely different - no playlist in favour of his confession of a guilty pleasure. And it wouldn't be Chris Long if there wasn't some controversy. Fun episode. I love this lunatic.        

Canadian kid and fleet-fingered guitarist for hot new heavy blues band Crown Lands Kevin Comeau brings his guitar into the studio for Canada Day, replacing my usual intro music with some tasty slide guitar. He even plays us out with a little bit of Rush in the spirit of the day.  Kev's band Crown Lands just won the 97.7 HTZ-FM 2017 Rock Search and their new album, called Rise Over Run, drops shortly. Kev brought in an incredible playlist of the songs that make his skin vibrate, and he makes me look bad with his eloquent and highly knowledgeable discussion of said songs. The kid is wise beyond his years, folks.   Comeau's playlist: Rush - Xanadu Explosions in the Sky - Your Hand In Mine Bob Dylan - Boots of Spanish Leather Yes - Heart of the Sunrise King Crimson - In The Court of the Crimson King Fleetwood Mac - Silver Springs Paul Simon - Graceland Tycho - Awake     

Canadian TV personality and MuchMusic alum Bill Welychka finally gets his invite to guest on NSTS Episode 16, fresh off of my appearance on his morning show on CKWS TV. During our chat Bill touches on The Hip's take on Jacques Cartier, his Aerosmith backstage listening experience, Liam Gallagher always being on his best behaviour in his presence, and just how expensive Justin Bieber's time can be.     Welychka's playlist: The Tragically Hip - Nautical Disaster Oasis - Live Forever The Cure - A Hundred Years George Jones - He Stopped Loving Her Today Aerosmith - Cryin' Blue Rodeo - Hasn't Hit Me Yet Rush - Time Stands Still Fleetwood Mac - Go Your Own Way    

Following in the footsteps of his childhood Scarborough bestie, my old dorm brother Brad 'Jammer' Jemmett drops by with his own hip hop playlist, and trash talks his old mate Kent Bailey (whom you'll remember from Episode 10) and his rap preferences.    I personally learned a lot in this episode, albeit things I should have probably already known. But I refuse to embarrass myself in text - you'll have to listen to the episode to find out just how little I know about Q-Tip and A Tribe Called Quest, and Deee-Lite's "Groove Is In The Heart".     Jemmett's playlist: Grandmaster Flash - The Message NWA - Fuck The Police Eric B and Rakim - Paid in Full Public Enemy - Fight The Power Maestro Fresh Wes - Let Your Backbone Slide A Tribe Called Quest - Can I Kick It? House of Pain - Jump Around Jeru the Damaja - Come Clean 50 Cent - In Tha Club         

In Episode 14 my homegirl from the South, Jo Watson, joins me to discuss the songs that make her skin vibrate, and to hack on each other a bit as we always do. Listen as Watson confesses her love for sexy women and her crush on Tom Petty, props up the Zac Brown Band, and pulls one of my favourite songs from the Stones' Exile On Main Street out of her playlist hat.   Watson's playlist: Bruce Springsteen - My City of Ruins The Black Crowes - She Talks To Angels  Credence Clearwater Revival - Green River Mudcrutch - I Forgive It All Fleetwood Mac - Landslide Pure Prairie League - Amie The Zac Brown Band - Free / Into The Mystic The Rolling Stones - Sweet Virginia   

In Episode 13 leading Canadian music correspondent, public relations wizard, and Sirius XM radio host Eric Alper joins me via Skype. Among other things, we discuss the Genesis gateway between Peter Gabriel and Phil Collins, the jazz inflections that can be found Talk Talk's "Life's What You Make It", and the importance of Jerry Lee Lewis and Buddy Holly. We also count the number of genres Sheena Easton has performed within over the course of her underrated career.      And, of course, KISS find their way into the conversation. Again.     Alper's playlist: Genesis - Abacab Talk Talk - Life's What You Make It My Bloody Valentine - Soon Jerry Lee Lewis - Great Balls of Fire Buddy Holly - Peggy Sue Sinead O'Connor - I Am Stretched On Your Grave Prince - U Got The Look Drive-By Truckers - You Got Another Drive-By Truckers - Daylight      

It was my privilege to host the legendary Alan Cross in Episode 12, voice of that iconic Canadian music doc we've all listened to at some point in our lives - The Ongoing History of New Music. As Alan and I talk about the songs that make his skin vibrate, he tells some incredible stories about the things he touched in Abbey Road Studios, how he perplexed Paul McCartney, and his hilarious discussion with Pete Townsend about the instrumentation in "Won't Get Fooled Again". And after we get through his list, we geek out over David Bowie.      Cross' playlist: The Who - Won't Get Fooled Again Peter Gabriel - Secret World (extended live version) Oasis - Rock and Roll Star Stone Roses - I Am The Resurrection  Paul McCartney and Wings - Live and Let Die The Rolling Stones - Gimme Shelter Pink Floyd - Mother The Beastie Boys - Sabotage                

Whoa!!! My man Jamie Blaine takes over the show all the way from Nashville and plays the role of host, allowing me to get in on the fun and talk a little bit about the songs that make MY skin vibrate. Jamie does an outstanding hosting job, taking me through that very wide spectrum of emotions that all my songs conjure up - the cocaine, the Quaaludes, and everything in between.   My playlist: AC/DC - Sin City Paul McCartney - Maybe I'm Amazed Led Zeppelin - Down By The Seaside Aimee Mann - Wise Up Motley Crue - Looks That Kill Stereophonics - Handbags and Glad Rags Stone Temple Pilots - Sour Girl Lake Street Dive - Rental Love KISS - Sure Know Something    

No Sleep Til Sudbury takes a complete left turn in Episode 10 as my close pal Kent Bailey drops by to give me a tutorial on the history of Hip Hop. Even if he was a suburban white kid, dude knows his stuff.   Listen along as Bailey discusses his traumatic introduction to music, his resemblance to Canadian rapper Kish, the Funky Drummer sampling phenomenon, and so much more. He even namechecks a Slayer band member! That's my boy.                  Bailey's playlist:   The Beastie Boys - No Sleep Til Brooklyn Maestro Fresh Wes - Let Your Backbone Slide Slick Rick - I Shouldn't Have Done It MC Lyte - Cold Rock a Party NWA - Straight Outta Compton Wu Tang Clan - C.R.E.A.M. EPMD - Strictly Business A Tribe Called Quest - Award Tour Nas - Halftime Public Enemy - Welcome To The Terrordome

My old promo tour buddy from Florida Chris Long, also known as The Pink Chief, joins me in Episode 9 to riff on music like no one else can. This dude is a lunatic, and I love him for it. During our chat, Long calls out the sterility of New Country, wonders what Keith Richards is whispering in Mick Jagger's ear, comes clean about his fantasies, and turns the tables on me with some questions of his own.   The Chief's playlist: The Rolling Stones - Hot Stuff Led Zeppelin - Tangerine The Black Crowes - Sometimes Salvation Sara Groves - Less Like Scars Elton John - Ticking Todd Rundgren - Hello It's Me                 

My brother from Tennessee, Jamie Blaine, writes for like 70 different magazines and still has time to drop by the show for a few laughs, bless his heart. Listen in as we talk about the peculiarity that is Krokus, what it must have been like for Gene and Paul to hear Ace's solo album for the first time, Lemmy's beautiful ugliness, and Jamie's woeful Rush experiment. Turns out he does some great impressions too!   Blaine's playlist:    Black Sabbath - Solitude Ace Frehley - Snowblind Ted Nugent - Stranglehold Motorhead - One Track Mind Don Felder - Heavy Metal Rush - Xanadu Prince - Computer Blue Plasmatics - Put Your Love In Me        

Learning design specialist and close friend Rachel Sumner drops by in Episode 7 with a highly inspiring and very interesting spin on the No Sleep Til Sudbury playlist concept, as she presents a collection of British female songwriters that taught her how to 'feel' as a British woman in her formative years. And, she scores additional points for being a Joni Mitchell fan.   Sumner's playlist: Kristy McColl - A New England Alison Moyet - Love Letters Eddi Reader - Patience of Angels Sharlene Spiteri - When We Are Together Gabrielle - Dreams Amy Winehouse - Love is a Losing Game Adele - Make You Feel My Love Ellie Goulding - On My Mind           

In Episode 6, Robin Washington's love of music is only slightly eclipsed by her gift for being a wisecracking smartass. Listen as she discusses her grandfather's pimp tendencies, her hilarious account of listening to The Black Crowes' Amorica record on Spotify, her adoration of Prince, and her complete disdain for me.   Washington's playlist: Stacey Q - Two of Hearts Stevie Wonder - Sir Duke Michael Jackson - Working Day & Night Fleetwood Mac - Silver Springs Alice in Chains - No Excuses The Black Crowes - Wiser Time A Tribe Called Quest - Award Tour Our Lady Peace - Naveed Sting - If I Ever Lose My Faith In You     

Prolific UK author, respected music journalist, and all-around great guy Joel McIver joins me via Skype from across the pond to discuss all manner of things, including the dark details inside Soft Cell's lyrics, a Ronnie James Dio children's song (seriously!), and the curious punk rock absurdity behind Kim Wilde's "Kids in America". All this and Cannibal Corpse and The Beatles too!   McIver's playlist: Ronnie James Dio/Butterfly Ball - Sitting in a Dream  The Beatles - Help! Soft Cell - Bedsitter Kim Wilde - Kids in America Metallica - Disposable Heroes Slayer - Reborn Mahler - Symphony #5 in C#m: IV Adagietto Sisters of Mercy - Marian (Version) Miles Davis - Freddie Freeloader Cannibal Corpse - The Time To Kill Is Now Faith No More - Ricochet David Bowie - Lady Grinning Soul

Psychologist and distinguished music freak Dr. Liam Ennis joins me via Skype to chat about things like the goings-on inside Al Green's crazy church in Memphis, why certain Beatles fans want to spit in his face, his favourite Tragically Hip lyric, and who has the absolute best rock and roll scream in the history of the genre.        The Good Doctor's playlist: The Who - Young Man's Blues The Tragically Hip - Flamenco Al Green - Love and Happiness Bruce Springsteen - State Trooper Speed Trap Town - Jason Isbell The Beatles - Helter Skelter Tom Waits - Downtown Train Neil Young - Helpless