We ask a question about bucket gigs to all of our Live Music & Me guests when they join us. We also have a bucket list of guests we would like to get onto our podcast, and Martyn Ware ( Heaven 17, BEF) was on that list. As a musician, composer, arranger, record producer, and music programmer, Martyn has been in the music industry for over 40 years, and we were convinced he would be good company. He was. From his first gig anecdote that involved Marc Bolan and his satin pants, to visiting Neil Young’s beach home and checking out his fridge, to giving Clive Davis from Arista the cold shoulder, the stories just kept coming. We also had some wonderful gig recollections too, both those he was at and those he wasn’t ( including Live Aid). And to finish, live album recommendations that couldn’t be any more eclectic if they tried, and are right up there with the best. Every guest we get takes us back through their life using gigs as reference points, and we are very grateful to Martyn for being so open, honest and entertaining. Enjoy, and stay safe

After a few false starts – for this episode, we finally managed to get on as our guest the singer, songwriter, musician Grahame Skinner.

Grahame’s gig memories started on the 16th October 1978 ( Glasgow Apollo). We then weaved through numerous stories with a Stranglers connection, trying ( and failing) to become pals with the Bunnymen, and why Grahame, in his own words, was a ‘fanny’.

We also got recollections on walking back post gig from Balhama to Drumchapel ( about 6 hours) , Lou Reed getting an electric shock on stage in Belgium, and the reveal that Ian Curtis & Michael Stipe both took all their dance moves from Grahame. Oh, and 2 recommendations for a live album we should all own ( and they couldn’t be more different)

It took a while, however it was totally worth the wait. Big thanks to Grahame and check out the latest The Cowboy Mouth album when its lands. It will be a belter.

Enjoy, and stay safe. PS. Apols for the minor gremlins on the recording – it’s still well worth a watch/listen

Just when we were beginning to think that we might never give this series the send off it deserved......here is the 22nd ( and final) edition of our 100 Greatest Albums series. Episode 1 was actually in November 2022, at a time when we had just changed Prime Minister - and we end at a time when we have just saw another one off - which feels pretty good. Over the last few weeks we have been voting to create our final Top 10, in order, from the 101 Albums we previously selected. And we reveal on this episode what Lisa, John, George and some of our guests/friends have come up with. We are sure you won't be disappointed. We have has so much fun doing these podcasts - and MAYBE, we will do another podcast series later in the year. For now, sit back, enjoy the chat, and when you have the time, get the greatest Top 10 albums EVER on your turntable/streaming platform. It's the very least your ears deserve. Big thanks to out podcast guests for propping us up, and for our Twitter/X friends for the banter... See you on the other side Brian, Lisa, George & John x PS. And of course, thanks to Metallica for being so bad that they gave us our podcast name :-)