Music Maps - The Rock n Roll Book Club Podcast

On May 31st 1993 Alan McGee walked into King Tut's War War Hut in Glasgow & stumbled upon Oasis - immediately after the gig he rang Creation Records Press Officer Johnny Hopkins to enthuse about his new discovery - the calls were repeated every hour throughout the night. Johnny joins us this week for the first part of our conversation about the beginnings of Oasis & the making of their debut album Definitely Maybe. It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link: ko-fi.com/musicmapsIt is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. The day after King Tut's, Alan McGee arrives back at Creation HQ in Hackney with the famous Union Jack demo tape - Bring It On Down being the first track Johnny & the Creation staff heard. Within a week Liam, Noel & Bonehead come into Creation & are sharp & funny - impressing everyone. Shortly after they sign with Creation in the UK & Sony worldwide. The first thing many people hear is the Columbia white label 12" which appears towards the end of 1993 & is instantly played on Radio 1. Also in late 1993 Oasis decamp to Monnow Valley Studios with original producer Dave Batchelor, however the results are deemed unsatisfactory & Noel Gallagher & Mark Coyle take over production duties for further sessions at Sawmills Studios, but again the recordings fail to capture the sound everyone is hearing at Oasis gigs. Owen Morris has a go at mixing the record & nails it - producing the sound you hear on the finished album. The first London gig takes place at the Water Rats in Kings Cross in January of 1994 & features the first known performance of debut single Supersonic, which comes out on April 11th. This landmark gig is followed by a legendary trip to Amsterdam which is where we end Part 1 of our Definitely Maybe 30th Anniversary episode - part 2 will follow next week. You can see our upcoming live events here: https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/live/Instagram: @rocknrollbookclube17Blue Sky: @musicmaps.bsky.socialX: @simonmusicmapsFacebook: E17rockbookclubHosted by Mark Hart & Simon CardwellWritten & Produced by Simon CardwellEdited, mixed & spruced up by Andy Maxwell 

It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link: ko-fi.com/musicmapsJoin us to discuss the music book of 2024 & one of the best music books of all time - Street Level Superstar - A Year With Lawrence has swept the board in the end of 2024 charts. Sunday Times writer Will Hodgkinson spends a year with Lawrence from Felt. Our starting point is the West Midlands suburb of Water Orton - Television, Subway Sect & T-Rex proving formative influences of Lawrence's earlier years. Eventually he forms Felt & they achieve a degree of success with their debut 7", Index. The band achieve a degree of success with 10 albums across a 10 year period including a stint on Creation Records. However their success was limited by the many rules Lawrence enforced upon the band including a specific type of plectrum only, rectangular guitar cases only, specific clothing & others. Lawrence's next project in the early 90s was Denim - while seemingly on the cusp following a tour with Pulp in 1996 the band did not achieve the success Lawrence long craved. His complete lack of compromise at some points of his life more of a hindrance. The books is not a typical music biography & is more a character study & an examination of Lawrence's eccentric life. Will spends a year in Lawrence's company as they travel to Waltham Cross, Chelsfield, Welling, Beckenham & Temple Fortune. We cannot describe how engaging this book is & really could not recommend it any higher. It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. You can see our upcoming live events here: https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/live/Instagram: @rocknrollbookclube17Blue Sky: @musicmaps.bsky.socialX: @simonmusicmapsFacebook: E17rockbookclubHosted by Mark Hart & Simon CardwellWritten & Produced by Simon CardwellEdited, mixed & spruced up by Andy Maxwell 

Tiffany Murray grew up at Rockfield Studios after her Mum was appointed chef - she tells us about meeting Black Sabbath & Ozzy Osbourne, David Bowie, Queen, Iggy Pop, Motorhead, Simple Minds, The Teardrop Explodes, Echo & The Bunnymen, Adam & The Ants, Siouxsie Sioux, Lemmy's parents, Showaddywaddy, Rush & Bauhaus. It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link: ko-fi.com/musicmapsIt is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. You can see our upcoming live events here: https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/live/Instagram: @rocknrollbookclube17Blue Sky: @musicmaps.bsky.socialX: @simonmusicmapsFacebook: E17rockbookclubHosted by Mark Hart & Simon CardwellWritten & Produced by Simon CardwellEdited, mixed & spruced up by Andy Maxwell 

Join us on our first trip to Seattle for part 1 of our conversation with Steve Turner from Mudhoney - Steve's book Mudride is out now on Omnibus Press. It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link: ko-fi.com/musicmapsIt is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. Steve grew up in the Seattle of the 1970s & his first access to punk rock comes via the pages of Skateboarder magazine which leads to picking up his first guitar during senior year of High School. While still at school Steve meets future bandmates Mark Arm & Stone Gossard (later of Pearl Jam) & he & Mark form Mr. Epp & The Calculations. The Seattle Scene begins at the Metropolis Club & the band splinters into two, Steve & Mark then start a new band which becomes Green River with Stone Goassard joining. Others floating around the city include Duff McKagan (future Guns n' Roses) & Kris Novoselic (future Nirvana). A key gig follows with Sonic Youth & local legends The U Men at the Gorilla Gardens which becomes the new centre of the Seattle scene & the band sign with Homestead Records shortly after. You can see our upcoming live events here: https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/live/Instagram: @rocknrollbookclube17Blue Sky: @musicmaps.bsky.socialX: @simonmusicmapsFacebook: E17rockbookclubHosted by Mark Hart & Simon CardwellWritten & Produced by Simon CardwellEdited, mixed & spruced up by Andy Maxwell 

This week we are joined by ex The Fall drummer Simon Wolstencroft AKA Funky Si - after meeting Ian Brown & John Squire at Altrincham Grammar School he & John follow The Clash around the UK travelling to gigs as far away as Bristol & London. In addition to a huge interest in The Sex Pistols & The Clash, other bands they follows as teens included The Slits, The Ramones, Siouxsie & The Banshees & the 2 Tone movement. Simon, Ian Brown & John Squire along with Pete Garner & Andy Couzens they form punk band The Patrol while attending South Trafford College. In 1980 Simon meets Johnny Marr & along with fellow future Smiths member Andy Rourke they become Freak Party - the band ultimately fizzle out as they are unable to find a suitable singer. It is during this time Johnny Marr comes up with the name Funky Si. A couple of months later Simon is contacted by Johnny Marr & asked to join his new band The Smiths - ultimately Simon decides against it as he doesn't like Morrissey. Although he did play on their first ever recording in Ancoats. Simon later works with Ian Brown again during his post-Stone Roses solo career - co-writing Golden Gaze on Ian's second solo album Golden Greats, appearing on Top Of The Pops & playing a final gig at Alexandra Palace. It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link: ko-fi.com/musicmapsIt is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. You can see our upcoming live events here: https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/live/Instagram: @rocknrollbookclube17Blue Sky: @musicmaps.bsky.socialX: @simonmusicmapsFacebook: E17rockbookclubHosted by Mark Hart & Simon CardwellWritten & Produced by Simon CardwellEdited, mixed & spruced up by Andy Maxwell 

Introducing DETOURS - occasionally we come across something which does not fit directly into our Music Map but we think our listeners will like anyway - this week we are joined by James Brown, founder of Loaded Magazine, NME features editor (at age 22), fanzine creator & originator of the GQ Man of The Year.Changing the landscape of the publishing world with Loaded - the magazine achieved instant stratospheric success & at its peak counted among its contributors Irvine Welsh, Vic Reeves & Howard Marks. We talk about the 90s & adventures with Oasis, the Beastie Boys, Sampdoria FC & more. It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link: ko-fi.com/musicmapsIt is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. You can see our upcoming live events here: https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/live/Instagram: @rocknrollbookclube17X: @simonmusicmapsFacebook: E17rockbookclubHosted by Mark Hart & Simon CardwellWritten & Produced by Simon CardwellEdited by Andy Maxwell 

Jakko Jakszyk joins us to take us on a tour through his wide ranging career encompassing his current role as singer of King Crimson, stints in The Lodge, Level 42, solo albums on Stiff Records & Chiswick Records, working with Tom Robinson, remix work for the likes of Emerson Lake & Palmer, Jethro Tull & Yes. Briefly being a member of The Kinks, a sideline in comedy, a brief interaction with Michael Jackson, Robert Fripp's dealings with Kanye West, initially joining The 21st Century Schizoid Band & then ultimately King Crimson themselves & more. It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link: ko-fi.com/musicmapsIt is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. You can see our upcoming live events here: https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/live/Instagram: @rocknrollbookclube17X: @simonmusicmapsFacebook: E17rockbookclubHosted by Simon CardwellWritten & Produced by Simon CardwellEdited by Andy Maxwell 

Join us on a trip to Zanzibar by way of India & Feltham as we trace the early years of Freddie Mercury. It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link: ko-fi.com/musicmapsIt is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. Freddie Mercury was born in Zanzibar in 1946 as Farrokh Bulsara but was later sent to school in India - attending a strict boarding school. Freddie's first band was in India but when the Bulsara family relocated to Feltham in South East London he found himself in the midst of Swinging London. He met future bandmate Tim Staffell at Isleworth College & later met future Queen guitarist Brian May who was in a band called Smile. Roger Taylor also came in but Freddie didn't officially join until later. After bouncing around various bands in the London area & also a stint in Liverpool, Freddie eventually names the band Queen & also designs their iconic logo. Their first gig takes place at Truro City Hall in the Summer of 1970 & the rest is history. You can see our upcoming live events here: https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/live/Instagram: @rocknrollbookclube17X: @simonmusicmapsFacebook: E17rockbookclubHosted by Mark Hart & Simon CardwellWritten & Produced by Simon CardwellEdited by Andy Maxwell 

Kathy Valentine joins us to talk about her career, her new book, her time with The Go-Go's, her induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame & more. It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link: ko-fi.com/musicmapsIt is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. Kathy Valentine grew up in Austin, Texas but also spent time in London as a teenager via family connections. On one such visit she saw Suzi Quattro on Top of the Pops & decided to form a punk band back in Austin. Kathy's first band The Violators also featured Carla Olsen (who later collaborated with Gene Clark, Bob Dylan, Mick Taylor, Percy Sledge, Ry Cooder & more) & in August 1980 they drove to LA in pursuit of their dream. Once in LA they become The Textones & release two singles, one of which is an unreleased Tom Petty track. A chance meeting at the end of 1980 leads to Kathy leaving the band to join The Go-Go's with Belinda Carlisle, Jane Wiedlin, Charlotte Caffey & Gina Schock. Her first gig was on New Years Eve of 1980 at the Whiskey a Go Go. The band sign with IRS in April of 1981 & fly to New York the next day to begin work on what becomes the Beauty & The Beat album with producer Richard Gottehrer (Blondie, Dr. Feelgood, Richard Hell). 'Our Lips Are Sealed' becomes the first single co-written by Specials frontman Terry Hall. The track breaks through despite resistance from radio & within the industry. The Go-Go's open for the Rolling Stones & The Police in the coming months as well as an appearance on Saturday Night Live alongside Eddie Murphy. The album reaches number 1 & becomes one of the most successful debut albums of all time & is still the only album to reach top top spot entirely written & performed by an all female band. Second album Vacation follows in 1982 with a title track written by Kathy & leads to an appearance on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine. The band are playing larger venues including a date with David Bowie on the Serious Moonlight Tour. The final Go-Go's album Talk Show is made in England with producer Martin Rushent & founder member Jane Wiedlin leaves the band not long after the supporting tour. The Go-Go's were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2021 & the band will be playing in 2025 including the Cruel World Festival in Pasadena, California. You can see our upcoming live events here: https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/live/Instagram: @rocknrollbookclube17X: @simonmusicmapsFacebook: E17rockbookclubHosted by Mark Hart & Simon CardwellWritten & Produced by Simon CardwellEdited by Andy Maxwell