E267 - Smoking Popes' Josh Caterer - Top 5 Albums of 1995, Vol. 2
From Britpop to Beanie Babies, 1995 was da bomb! So much so, in fact, that we thought it would be pretty phat if we revisited the albums of the year in a Volume 2 episode. As if!
This week's Third Lad, singer/songwriter/guitarist Josh Caterer had a pretty memorable 1995 as well. His Chicago pop-punk band Smoking Popes signed a major label deal with Capitol Records, who re-released their second indie album, Born To Quit. The album featured the alternative smash "Need You Around," which received radio and MTV airplay, as well as a prominent placement in the hit film Clueless.
Fast forward 30 years and things are once again heating up for Smoking Popes. They've just released a triumphant new album, Lovely Stuff, and are celebrating three decades of Born To Quit by playing the record live in its entirety this spring. This summer, they will embark on a tour with Bayside. https://smokingpopesmusic.com
Josh joined us from a random rest stop somewhere in Florida to chat about '95 albums, the Popes' past, present, and future, hangin' out in Billie Joe Armstrong's basement, getting Morrissey's seal of approval, the pros and cons of sudden fame, faith, Wisconsin, and much more.
We're Audi!
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1:32:19
Crikey! It's an O3L Guide to Record Store Day 2025!
It’s not Record Store Day without a special bonus episode from your friends at Only Three Lads. OK, so it is actually still is Record Store Day regardless on Saturday, April 12th…but hopefully we can help in some way as you get ready for the big day. Join O3L's Brett Vargo on a guided journey through this year's list, spotlighting the many releases from artists that we talk about on the show. This year could be one of the best we’ve ever had.
Let us know where you’ll be this Record Store Day and what’s on your shopping list!
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37:47
E266 - The Open Flames' Evan Sult (Harvey Danger) & Dave Eastman - Top 5 Albums with Super Awesome Drumming!
Dedicated in loving memory of two of the greatest drummers of the O3L era: Blondie (among many others) drummer Clem Burke, who passed away the day prior to this episode's release; and The Jam's Rick Buckler, who we lost the week we recorded it.
The title says it all: This week, we celebrate albums with super awesome drumming with Third Lads Evan Sult and Dave Eastman from The Open Flames!
Evan Sult is the super awesome drummer behind Harvey Danger and their '90s alt-rock classic 'Flagpole Sitta' (c'mon, you know you've played air drums to it before). Plus, Harvey Danger's underrated second album, King James Version, is getting the deluxe vinyl treatment for its 25th anniversary on Record Store Day - April 12, 2025!
Evan Sult and Paige Brubeck (who also make up the duo Sleepy Kitty) and bassist Len Bendel joined forces with singer/songwriter/guitarist extraordinaire Dave Eastman to form the literate pop noir band The Open Flames. Their new debut album, Same Time Next Year, rides a wild wave from crescendo to crescendo. Dave's novelist's eye tells narratives that he and co-vocalist Paige embody as characters which the band explodes into cinematic color via Evan's powerful drums, Paige and Len's inventive basslines, and a full spectrum of distorted guitar tones and harmonies. Same Time Next Year is out now on Subjangle: https://theopenflames.bandcamp.com
Dave also treats O3L listeners to an exclusive live acoustic version of the album track 'My Birthday'.
Oh, and did we mention it's super awesome?!?
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1:45:14
E265 (or E1 of "Only Two Bros") - Top 5 Bro-Country Songs
Call it an O3L spin-off. Call it a new direction. But after 264 episodes discussing classic alternative music, we (Gregg Gunner and Brett Maverick) decided that it was finally time to devote ourselves to our true musical passion...modern bro-country. In this inaugural episode, we will cover our Top 5 Bro-Country Songs. This was a nigh-on-impossible task, as there are soooooo many great tunes in this genre.
For those who may be less familiar with Bro-country, here's how the ever-reliable Wikipedia describes it:
Bro-country is a form of country pop originating in the 2010s, and is influenced by 21st-century hip hop, hard rock, and electronica. Bro-country songs are often musically upbeat with lyrics about attractive young women, the consumption of alcohol, partying, blue jeans, boots, and pickup trucks.
Truck yeah! That's like all of our favorite things rolled into one.
Don't worry, we're still the same ol' "lads" - just in Stetson hats and cowboy boots.
So come along on this ride...it's got more giddy up than an F150!
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25:53
E264 - Nick Holmstén (Former Global Head of Music at Spotify / Author, Fan Powered Futures) - Top 5 Songs YOU Need to Stream...RIGHT NOW!
Not to toot our own horns (so to speak), it's the undisputed truth that we've had incredible guests on O3L in the past. Our growing roster of "Third Lads" has collectively touched millions of lives. But is there any single person who has changed the very fabric of the music industry as indelibly as this week's Third Lad? Because this week we chat with Nick Holmstén, the man who revolutionized the modern playlist. In that spirit, we are going to "be your algorithm" and give you a wildly eclectic list of songs that you need to stream...RIGHT NOW! Well, OK, wait til after the podcast is done. Priorities, friends!
With three decades of diverse experience in the entertainment industry, Holmstén’s transformation from a thriving artist, producer, and songwriter into a pioneering leader in the realms of music and technology showcases his dynamic career progression.
His tenure as the Global Head of Music at Spotify is a testament to his significant impact on the digital music sphere. This role followed the strategic acquisition of his company, Tunigo, by Spotify in 2013, highlighting Spotify’s commitment to remaining at the forefront of the music discovery. He was instrumental in transforming Spotify into a global music powerhouse, introducing the modern playlist that revolutionized the way artists release music and reinvented how fans discover new music, thereby expanding the global reach of music artists.
He also established TSX Entertainment, a groundbreaking entertainment company based in Times Square, with the TSX Stage and the TSX Billboard becoming significant cultural icons. The debut performance on the stage by Post Malone earned Six Clio Awards in 2023.
Nick Holmstén’s journey is recounted in the book Fan Powered Futures, a compelling tale of passion, vision, and innovative spirit shaping the entertainment industry. His groundbreaking work in music, technology, and hospitality inspires a new generation of entrepreneurs, artists, and visionaries, cementing his role as a key figure in the evolution of modern entertainment.
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About Only Three Lads - Classic Alternative Music Podcast
Only Three Lads is a lively podcast celebrating the Golden Age of Alternative Music from the '70s, '80s & '90s. Join Uncle Gregg, Brett Vargo, and a variety of ”Third Lads” as we share our Top Fives, stories, and news about the music we love, and have a lot of fun along the way! Whether you‘re into indie, punk, new wave, Britpop, power pop, synth pop, shoegaze, grunge...or whatever...there is going to be something for you to discover and love. Part of Pantheon Podcasts.
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