It’s a new month so obviously it’s time for another two part new release series. Like usual, tonight’s part one is full of “friends of the show” that includes artists on Big Stir Records, along with tracks submitted by the likes of The New Brutarians, Jim Basnight, and many others. There’s also a sneak peak at the upcoming Superchunk album, and a handful of tunes from yet another recently announced live Husker Du album!  For more info, including setlists, head to http://scotthudson.blogspot.com

The folder was almost full so I decided the time was right for a covers show. The key words are “almost full”, though. As late as this morning I was a few songs short of a full show. But I had faith. First off, I discovered the reissue of a 2012 covers EP by Black Furies called Get Down With It that included a cover of “Teenage Kicks”. Wait, what? It seems like every time I do a covers show I find yet another version of that tune. Then came the release of the explosive new album by The Dogmatics, Nowheresville, destined to be one of my favorite albums of the year. That album’s final tune is “Bail Me Out” by Boston legends DMZ. Add a few other new finds and the show was ready! While the vast majority of tracks are either brand new or come from reissues, I do have a lengthy Redd Kross-related set in the middle of the show. Having just finished the great new autobiography Now You’re One Of Us: The Incredible Story of Redd Kross, it was just natural to showcase some of the many covers they recorded over the years. Besides two tracks from their all-covers Teen Babes From Mosanto, I aired rare remakes of PJ Harvey and Teenage Fanclub tunes. As a bonus, there’s also a couple of tracks from their Tater Totz tribute band. What’s your favorite track from this broadcast?  For more info, including setlists, head to http://scotthudson.blogspot.com

I generally label the first part of the monthly new release series the “friends of the show” broadcast. Looking at tonight’s folder of tunes, though, the sequel actually has more artists of that sort than part one had. As always, there’s  lengthy set recapping a ton of wonderful Rum Bar Records release. Let’s face it, thanks to their generosity and the sherr number of great records they put out every month they fit the “best friend” category. But a large portion of the show includes a number of other submitted tracks by the likes of Shortwaves, Joe Normal, mp clarke, The Rockerati, and The chrisVandalay Project. And a thumbs up to the always prolific Friends of Cesar Romero for putting out not one but three new releases this past month! There’s also some great tracks from veteran artists this month. The Black Watch just released their 25th album. 25! And this one’s a double! The Reds, Pinks and Purples contnue their jangle pop snark with The Past Is a Garden I Never Fed. There’s a four album set by Hallelujah The Hills, and the returns of The Untamed Youth and Dropkick Murphys. What is your fave new release? For more info, including setlists, head to http://scotthudson.blogspot.com

It may be our nation’s birthday, but that’s not stopping The Ledge from their usual routine of every first Friday of the month. Yes, once again we have a two part new release series, and this week’s first episode is primarily “friends of the show”. Artists that regularly send us tracks (Numb Surprise), along with labels that alway keep us in the loop (Big Stir Records), along with a ton of artists who so nicely provided us with singles or full-length releases. But we also had to break our usual format with this news from the Numero Group – “The rumors are true. On January 30, 1985, Hüsker Dü recorded a peak high performance to 24 track tape at Minneapolis’s First Avenue club in front of their hometown massive. This performance was supposed to come out as a live album later that year, but the band’s rapid upward trajectory caused priorities to shift. The tapes were shelved – thought to be possibly lost in the same 2011 house fire that consumed a precious portion of the Hüsker Dü archive. Nearly 40 years later, these tapes have been rescued from the abyss, and we’ve tasked the team at Steve Albini’s Electrical Audio on the transferring and Beau Sorensen at Tiny Telephone for the mixdowns.”  Yes, all five of the preview tracks are included, as are a couple of highlights from the recent covers compilation from The Feelies. For more info, including setlists, head to htttp://scotthudson.blogspot.com

As it is the last Friday of the second quarter of the year, it’s time to once again take a look back at the highlights of the last three months. Like usual, there’s a wonderful mix of all kinds of great music, from veteran bands (The Minus 5, The Waterboys, Swans) to brand new bands (Psychic Pigs, The Burgers). There’s free bandcamp faves (Friends of Cesar Romero, Vista Blue), our usual mix of Rum Bar Records bands, and multi-disc concept albums (David Lowery, The Waterboys). There’s some good old fashioned rock ‘n roll, garage rock, punk, and even some indescribible multi-genre bands that I like to call “garage-prog”.  What new albums have you been jamming? For more info, including setlists, head to http://scotthudson.blogspot.com

Full disclosure here, and it’s sort of controversial. I’ve never been a Beach Boys fan. It’s just never really worked for me. As a kid, it just seemed to be a parent’s version of what rock and roll is supposed to be. The fact they had a song called “Be True To Your School” was enough evidence for me to not buy that Endless Summer collection that came out around the same time as I was discovering The Ramones and Sex Pistols. That’s not to say that I don’t have respect for the band, especially Brian Wilson, who passed away on June 11. The fact that so many of my favorite bands revered Wilson (including the Ramones) gave me some new insight. In fact, I always have said that I love the bands influenced by The Beach Boys more than the actual band. Plus, I have developed an appreciation for Pet Sunds, although I’m still not prepared to call it the greatest album ever. But I pulled it out after hearing the news of Brian’s death, and I also played the version of Smile that came out in 2011. That may be my favorite album by them, but is it because of the legends behind the creation? So tonight’s show consists primarily of Beach Boys covers. Yes, the first track is not a cover. It’s Pavid Vermin’s wonderful (and truthful) track “The Beach Boys Never Surfed”. And, yes, I do include Redd Kross’s cover of Charles Manson’s “Cease to Exist”, which was recorded by the band (with rewritten lyrics) as “Never Learn Not To Love”. Not to mention that the Melvins’ NSFW rewrite of “I Get Around” is probably mroe parody than tribute. It’s still a fun version, though! For more info, including setlists, head to http://scotthudson.blogspot.com

Believe it or not, there are rules when it comes to what you hear on The Ledge. One of my main rules is that when the new release show is split into two separate shows there is a cutoff date for the material. That deadline is showtime of the first episode. Any material that is sent my way after that is set aside for the next month’s series. But there’s no real rules in rock and roll, as proven when I got an email from Rum Bar head honcho Malibu Lou just a fwe hours before this broadcast. Attached to the correspondance was the upcoming new single by The Dogmatics! Hold the presses, kids, as this is a track that has to be fast-tracked. And what a backstory. The new song, “You’ve Got What I Want”, is the opening blast from a new full-length coming out on July 18. But it’s 96 seconds of fury that dates back to the band’s earliest rehearsals. Leader Jerry Lehane had attended a show by 80s Boston legends The Outlets, and rushed to the infamous Thayer Street rehearsal loft to write this ferocious rocker. Why they waited almost 45 years to record this classic makes no sense to me, but better late than ever! Of course, there’s plenty of other Rum Bar new releases aired this week, along with new material from Rum Bar associates Beebe Gallini and Brad Marino. There’s a wonderful new single by The New Barbarians, and I’m always happy when fellow Real Punk Radio DJ Greg Lonesome has a new Intrusive Thoughts track.  There’s plenty of other highlights this week, and as always I want to know what your favorites are. What records are you looking at adding to your collection? For more info, including setlists, head to http://scotthudson.blogspot.com

The first half of the monthly new release series is always dominated by “friends of the show”, and this month it’s no different. Tonight’s episode features are good friends Numb Surprise, the latest Rob Moss split 7″ cover collaboration (this time with Arthur Alexander), the return of Swansea Sound, and many others. Take note of the wonderful comeback tune by Handsome Dick Manitoba, as it features our pals Torpedohead as his band!.  The concluding half hour or so of tonight’s broadcast features double shots of some great new albums. Alien Nosejob, Frankie and the Witch Fingers, and Wyldlife are represnted with their new records, and we have a sneak peak at what should be a future favorite album from Superchunk! For more info, including setlists, head to http://scotthudson.blogspot.com

Tonight’s show features the debut of a new theme. It’s a format that I’ve long considered trying out, and this week seemed like the perfect opportunity. Quite often, new albums that I’ve come across have included songs with a famous person in the title. Most are tributes to said person, but there are also plenty of these types of tunes that just utilize a name for a song that has nothing to do with that character. So here we have over two hours of these types of songs. They’re priarily new or recently released, but there are four segments devoted to individual artists. First off, we have The Replacements, along with a variety of songs devoted to members of the band. Then at the end we have lengthy sections full of songs about Joe Strummer and Joey Ramone. I can see this format being utilized every few months. Just like the cover songs episodes, I’ll set up a folder that I’ll toss whatever songs I come across that would work for such a show. What do you think? Is this a worthy idea? For more info, including setlists, head to http://scotthudson.blogspot.com

At first glance, the latest installment of the cover song series is no different than any previous episode. Behind the scenes, though, serendipity is at play here. Like usual, I had quitely filled my “covers” folder over the last few months. A few weeks ago, I had accumulated enough tracks to schedule the show. I could have done it at the end of April, or last week. Next week even. Or I could have held it over until June. But no, I was determed in do on May 23. Then on my usual record store run last Friday I found a number of great Minneapolis garage rock records from the 50s and 60s. Most were compilatons, but I also found a Sundazed Music reissue of The Gestures’ self-titled album from 1966. Hailing from Mankato, MN, they had a hit in 1964 with “Run, Run, Run”, their debut single. I picked up this reissue, and loved it! Fast forward to yesterday as I was looking at the various new releases for the week. I was excited to see that Beebe Gallini had a new record out called Begged, Borrowed and Stealed! Even better was the fact that not only is this a record of nothing but covers but one of their selections is that tune by The Gestures!!! So for this week’s feature record of the week I have a whole set of tunes from this great record. And as if that wasn’t eneough serendipity for one week, I also came across a covers record by Australin ska-punkers The Resignators, which includes a cover of “Teenage Kicks”!!! I swear the universe set up both of these acts to release these records just for me to air them this week! Due to all this good fortune, I decided to not dump any of the other tracks I had initially picked for this week’s broadcast. So this is a supersized episode with over a half hour of overtime! I hope you love all of these tunes. Please let me know what you liked the most! For more info, including setlists, head to http://scotthudson.blogspot.com

This episode started off with a simple search for a Mother’s Day song. I just wanted to check out what songs I had about moms. But I noticed something quite off. I also had quite a few songs whose title included a much longer word that included the word mother. Like a whole plethora of songs that a polite person like myself would never, ever knowingly type in a show description like this. So that’s what we have tonight. 39 songs whose titles involves a certain expletive. It’s quite a fun show, but if you are NOT a fan of profranity you may want to wait for next week’s show. I won’t take it personally.  For more info, including setlists, head to http://scotthudson.blogspot.com

This may be the 666th episode of The Ledge, but there’s nothing evil about the music played tonight. It’s actually nothing but joyful noise, 38 blasts that prove that rock and roll is as strong as ever. And once again, we traverse the world for quality sounds. Besides the usual lineup of Americans, there’s not one but two fabulous bands from France, along with other European artists. There’s the usual handful of Australians.   There’s also a plethora of veterans still pumping out records you need to hear. Muck and the Mires have been releasing garage rock for over 25 years. The Rabies reunited after 40 years for one of the great surprises of the years. Former Soft Boys guitarist Kimberly Rew returns. Personlity Cult may be much younger, but they consist of members of Ledge favorites Mind Spiders and Paint Fumes (plus many other bands). What’s your favorite new release?  For more info, including setlists, head to http://scotthudson.blogspot.com

Once again, The Ledge new release series travels the globe for the latest in quality rock and roll. From Rapid City, SD (Friends of Cesar Romero) to Sydney, Australia (Game Set Match), with various stops all over the US and Europe. There’s solo sets from High on Stress leader Nick Leet, Forty Nineteens leader Nick Z, and longtime Brian Wilson touring member Nelson Bragg. There’s the triumphant return of The Minus 5, and the latest chapter in the Viagra Boys story. Plus our usual monthly contribution from our buddies Numb Surprise. And, of course, a lot more. For more info, including setlists, head to http://scotthudson.blogspot.com

The Ledge is back! Yes, I did announce that it was unlikely that I’d have a show this week due to my recent medical procedure. But I seem to be recuperating nicely, so why not put together a show? I do chat about my experiences at the top of the program, and I do want to thank everyone that reached out to say they were thinking of me. It’s so much appreciated. As for this week’s broadcast, it’s all about Record Store Day. Yes, I know there are a lot of people that are not fans of this event. It didn’t help that this year included a couple of mainstream titles that should have had better availability (in other words, a much higher pressing). Yes, I understand that most people don’t care about rarities such as outtakes and live recordings. I get it. If that’s your belief then stay away! But I love everything about it. It’s the one day that this curmudgeon hangs with the crowd before the doors open. I enjoy chatting with folks about what they’re hoping to find, or what they’ve bought in the past. And yes, I do love live albums. I do love rare mixes. I love obscure, long out of print collaborations between unlikely artists. Gimme gimme gimme! So tonight’s show celebrates this spring’s model. There are a ton of live albums. There’s the almost forgotten Hindu Love Gods, which saw Warren Zevon paired up with 3 of the 4 members of R.E.M. There’s a crazy alternative version of the first Public Image Ltd. album. The list goes on and on. Dive in tonight’s show and relive the special day. For more info, including setlists, head to http://scotthudson.blogspot.com

This second part of the monthly new release series probably should have been titled after the final song of the show. Former Blackhearts guitarist Ricky Byrd’s “RnR’s Demise (Has Been Greatly Exaggerated)” certainly matches the philosophy of The Ledge, and the fact that month after month we provide over four hours of newly issued tunes is certainly proof. Again, we have a number of “friends of the show”, including White Rose Motor Oil, New Brutarians, Geoff Palmer, and a whole set of tracks from Rum Bar Records. There’s also the return of The Memories, The Minus 5, and Throwing Muses, along with new bands (at least to us) such as The Roxies, Midlife Crisis, Dead Bars, and Creem Circus (love the name, btw).  Also, just a note that due to an upcoming medical procedure there will be now show next week (and possibly the following week).  For more info, including setlists, head to http://scotthudson.blogspot.com

It’s time for another rundown of brand new tunes, and once again this month it’s a two part series. This week features, as always, a number of “friends” of the show – Tom Whillock, Rob Moss and Skin-Tight Skin, The Amplifier Heads, Numb Surprise, and The Bablers. There’s a set devoted to veteran acts that all released records today – The Waterboys, Craig Finn, Mekons, and Will Johnson. There’s the long-awaited full-length album (after literally dozens of EP’s) by our pals Vista Blue. Superchunk is back with a new single, and Swami John Reis has another smoking new album. And there’s also the usual mix of new and longtime favorite artists with quality tracks. What’s your favorite new release? What did you like best on tonight’s show? What are you hoping to hear next week? Let me know your thoughts! For more info, including setlists, head to http://scotthudson.blogspot.com

Since it’s the last episode of March, it is definitely time for first quarter recap. Over two hours of tracks from the best albums released over the last three months. There’s plenty of power pop, garage rock, psych, post-punk, punk, and even some straight ahead rock and roll. There are the usual veterans such as Bob Mould, Guided By Voices, Throwing Muses, and The Men, but there are plenty of newer bands such as Dropkick, Private Lives, Transistors, and Dead Bars. (Yes, there is also an inadvertent 2024 record included. My apologies for the mistake.)  For more info, including setlists, head to http://scotthudson.blogspot.com

For the third, and final, episode where The Ledge attempts to fix the godawful errors of The Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame we handle the overlooked bands of the 90’s. Along with the usual punk and indie rock bands of that time, there’s also a couple of sets devoted to the Americana sub-genre that rose in popularity during that time. Again, just think of how much fun a ceremony would be that included the likes of the Supersuckers, Steve Earle, Rocket From the Crypt, Fugazi, Superchunk, and so many other greats. Maybe an Uncle Tupelo reunion could be negotiated after an all star jam under the Golden Smog name. Billy Childish could possibly jam with Reverend Horton Heat and Archers of Loaf! Oh that would be a show I wouldn’t miss! I also start the show with a lengthy discussion about my friend Monica Kindt, who tragically passed away earlier this week. She was my manager at two different record stores over the years, and was a person who endured many of my childish rants over the years. My thoughts go to her family and all of us friends who miss her so much. She would have loved my Americana sets! For more info, including setlists, head to http://scotthudson.blogspot.com

The secone episode of March’s new release series is jam packed with quality new tunes. There’s the usual lengthy set of brand new Rum Bar releases, including some highights of the upcoming free Swagger Second Shot compilation. Big Stir Records is represented by the latest by Chris Church. There are old faves such as Bob Mould, The Liminanas, Jason Isbell, and Gary Louris of The Jayhawks. Vista Blue celebrates the return of baseball with “Clearing the Benches”. The Tubs and Horsegirl have new sophomore efforts as strong as their debuts. But what excites me the most this week are the first two tunes of the show. “(That Ain’t One I’m) Willin’ to Lose” marks the Ledge debut of Sioux Falls songwriter Meriwether Raindelay & The Original Star Band. I’m hoping it’s the beginning of a series of fabulous releases. And there is also the latest by The Ex-Bombers. The wrestling nerd that I am loves the fact that they have yet another theme for the ring, and this time “He’s a Bad, Bad Man” is the entrance theme for NWA’s Jeremiah Plunkett. Even better is that the band AND Plunkett recorded intros for the show! For more info, including setlists, head to http://scotthudson.blogspot.com

It’s that time of the months once again – new release night! And once again, it’s a two part extravaganza! This week features the usual Ledge mix of power pop, punk, garage, and a little trace of Americana! For more info, including setlists, head to http://scotthudson.blogspot.com