Center Stage: An Abandoned Albums Podcast

As the principal songwriters and creative forces, Andy Chase and Adam Schlesinger brought a Lennon/McCartney aspect to their songwriting. This is to say that Andy’s view is a little left of center while Adam leans a little more commercial and when combined with Dominique Durand's voice, it’s astounding.

The music of Ivy is the convergence of three very distinct voices... and personalities, but with a shared vision. Whether you call it “shoegazing” or “indie pop” or “indie” or whatever, the band’s entire catalog is pure pop perfection.

Despite their lack of commercial success here in the United States, for over 15 years, Ivy was one of the most licensed bands in the business.

You may not know their name, but you definitely know their music.

LINKS

Ivy Website

Fountains of Wayne (Adam’s other band)

Camera2 (Andy’s other band)

Les Inrockuptibles (French Rock Magazine)

Andy’s Eulogy (full transcript) and “Song for Adam”

Bar None Records

Atlantic Records

Melody Maker

James Iha

Llyod Cole

Edwyn Collins

Orange Juice

Keith manning the keyboard here - On this episode of Abandoned Albums I sat down with singer/songwriter Chris Canterbury stopped by to chat about Quaalude Lullabies. This album is the first album in a very long time that made me stop and listen to the lyrics. There was a time when that would’ve been standard practice listening to new music, but now? Well, you know...life.

Chris Canterbury is one of those rare singer/songwriters, his songs are straight-ahead and hit you where it matters most - the head and the heart. The nine songs on this new record are the type of songs that build careers and become legendary. If you're not identifying with one of the characters he’s singing about, then you know someone who will.

Given the title, Quaalude Lullabies, you go into it with an understanding that these songs will be a bit on the sad side. In more simple terms, as Chris points out, “the album is a collection of downers.” That said, these characters may be sad, and lonely, and they’re definitely damaged, but they’re not tragic.

Achieving that kind of symbiosis is no easy task, and on Quaalude Lullabies, Chris Canterbury does.

LINKS

Chris Canterbury website

American Songwriter article

Will Kimbrough

Bill HIcks Arizona Bay

Denis Leary No Cure for Cancer

The Sceneius Explained

Yellow Mama

Hailing from the great plains of Witchita, Kansas, The Embarrassment, like their contemporaries R.E.M., The Replacements, and Husker Du, helped blaze the trail for what would become college or alternative rock in the early to mid 1980s. Affectionately known as The Embos, their smart, catchy, and quirky songs were a ballast to the moodier sounds of early R.E.M. and the more punkish sounds of the mats and Husker Du.

The band was guitarist Bill Goffrier, lead singer and organist John Nichols, bassist Ron Klaus and drummer Brent Giessmann.

Bill stops by Thunderlove Studio to talk about how the band went from a name like The Elastic Wasteband to The Embarrassment and how R.E.M. allegedly had them removed as an opening act - for fear they would outperform the headlining guys from Athens, Georgia.

Keith and Bill talk about the band, its place in history, and the upcoming documentary We Were Famous, You Don’t Remember.

LINKS

The Embarrassment Wiki

We Were Famous, You Don’t Remember

Bill Goffrier

Chucky Fume - Thoughts From the Universe

Bar None Records

Last Laugh Records

Fresh Sounds Records

Big Dipper

The Del Fuegos

Article about Documentary

We Jam Econo - The Minuteman Documentary

Los Straight Jackets

On this episode of Abandoned Albums, Steve Isaacs stopped by Thunderlove Studios to chat about his career. Now Steve is one of those guys who generate positivity.

After paying dues on the coffee house circuit in Los Angeles in the early 90s (that he helped create), he packed up and moved east to become a VJ at MTV right when grunge broke.

From there, he auditioned - and got the gig - for a tour of a broadway play (no spoilers, you gotta listen).

And then, he fronted his band, Skycycle. A band named after the rocket that Evel Knievel (Wile E. Coyote personified ) tried to jump over the Snake River. Skycyle released one EP - Breathing Water - and one LP - Ones and Zeros.

And then fronting another band with 3⁄4 of Jane’s Addiction... while keeping a day job!

Steve Isaacs has one helluva work ethic and a whole lot of creativity.

And he’s a super nice guy!

Listen for yourself!

Steve Isaacs Web Site

Skycycle

The Panic Channel

Evel Kinevel on Jim Roma

Kemble Walters's music spans various genres, including rock, alternative, and even experimental. His ability to seamlessly integrate his guitar work into diverse musical contexts is a testament to his talent and dedication.

When not on the road, Kemble splits his time between Los Angeles with his wife (a vegan chef and clothing designer), and their dog Bowie, and Palm Springs, where his studio is located. He’s had the opportunity to work with music legends Linda Perry and Dave Grohl.

Kemble also moonlights with his “party” cover band, Petty Cash, and has been known to invite several guests on stage such as Pink, Butch Walker, Deryck Whibley, Chad Smith, Hayley Williams and Avril Levigne.

Although Kemble Walters may not be a household name - yet - his work has undoubtedly left an impact on those who appreciate his craft, and he continues to be an inspiration to aspiring guitarists and remains an essential part of the music scene, enriching it with his distinct guitar prowess and musical innovation.

LINKS

Kemble Walters on the web

KW on IG

Aeges on Bandcamp

Juliette and the Licks

More Linkage

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