Ugly Things
Ugly Things Magazine, the ultimate rock ‘n’ roll read is now a podcast! Hosted by author and music journalist Mike Stax, Ugly Things brings you wild sounds from past dimensions, when rock ‘n’ roll was young, daring, dangerous and vital. Each episode brings you the very best in ’60s beat, garage rock, punk and psychedelic music, featuring interviews and profiles about the era’s most influential and underrated bands and artists, as well as reviews of vinyl and CD reissues, music-related books and films. Passionate, insightful, in-depth coverage of the overlooked music of the 1950s, ’60s, ’70s and beyond.
1
DUNCAN FALLOWELL Interview
Mike Stax has a scintillating conversation with English writer and critic Duncan Fallowell about rock journalism in the ‘70s, his collaborations with the great German group Can, and his appreciation for Iggy & the Stooges, David Bowie, Gary Glitter and more.
77 min
2
PEANUT BUTTER CONSPIRACY: Alan Brackett Interview
Mike Stax talks to Alan Brackett, bass player, founder and songwriter of the Peanut Butter Conspiracy, who made some the most inspired, accomplished, and at times downright awe-inspiring sounds to come out of the West Coast in the 1960s.
76 min
3
WE THE PEOPLE: Wayne Proctor interview
Mike Stax talks to Wayne Proctor of We the People, one of the great overlooked groups of the 1960s. Wayne was the group’s lead guitarist, sometimes vocalist, and the writer of some of the band’s finest songs, including the transcendent “In the Past.”
87 min
4
THE SAINTS: Ed Kuepper interview
In this episode guitarist and founder Ed Kuepper talks about the early years of the Saints in Brisbane, Australia, and the making of their savage but soulful debut album (I’m) Stranded in 1976.
92 min
5
Greg Prevost: After the Wars
Greg Stackhouse Prevost returns to talk about his fantastic new album, After the Wars, who reflect on their musical philosophy and motivation for continuing to create music.
63 min
6
Chris Charlesworth: Just Backdated
Mike Stax talks to Melody Maker writer Chris Charlesworth about his experiences on the front lines of rock journalism in London, LA and New York City in the 1970s.
75 min
7
Special Announcement!
2024 Summer Hiatus
1 min
8
MARK LINDSAY INTERVIEW: Paul Revere & the Raide...
Mike Stax talks to Mark Lindsay, lead singer and chief songwriter of Paul Revere & the Raiders, about the creation of one of their greatest albums, The Spirit of ’67. Mark breaks down the album in detail, track by track in this 2016 interview from the Ugly Things vault.
60 min
9
THE PRETTY THINGS: Mark St John interview
In this episode we pay tribute to the late Pretty Things lead singer Phil May. Mike Stax talks to Pretty Things manager and producer Mark St John about the band’s last years and the challenges, trials and triumphs of making their brilliant final album, Bare As Bone, Bright as Blood.
65 min
10
THE MISUNDERSTOOD: Rick Brown interview Part 2
In this episode we conclude the story of the Misunderstood, one of the seminal psychedelic groups of the 1960s. Lead singer Rick Brown shares the story of their rapid rise and fall in England, and his remarkable adventures afterwards that took him half way around the world from military boot camp to a primitive ashram in India, and back again.
79 min
11
THE MISUNDERSTOOD: Rick Brown interview Part 1
In this episode we begin the story of the Misunderstood, one of the most exciting and innovative psychedelic groups of the 1960s. Lead singer Rick Brown talks to Mike Stax about the early days of the band in Riverside, California, their association with John Peel, and why they decided to move to London in 1966.
51 min
12
The Pretty Things: WALLY WALLER INTERVIEW
In this episode, Mike Stax talks to Pretty Things bass player and songwriter Wally Waller about the heady days of 1969 and 1970, and the making of their post-psychedelic masterpiece, Parachute.
88 min
13
Derv Gordon Special Bonus Episode
Outtakes from Mike's March 15, 2023 interview with Derv Gordon of The Equals, lead singer of the trailblazing UK rock/soul/pop group best-known for smash hits like “Baby Come Back” and “Viva Bobby Joe”.
32 min
14
MOBY GRAPE II: Don Stevenson & Cam Cobb
Don Stevenson of Moby Grape talk about Moby Grape’s grim times in 1968, and go track-by-track on their wonderful yet overlooked third album, Moby Grape ’69. The band’s biographer, Cam Cobb, joins the conversation.
57 min
15
The Pretty Things: JOHN STAX INTERVIEW
In this episode we plunge back into the world of the Pretty Things. Mike Stax interviews bass player and founder member John Stax about the group’s early days along with a track-by-track exploration of their fabulous debut album and wild stories about their days at 13 Chester Street, Belgravia
82 min
16
The Chocolate Watchband: DAVE AGUILAR INTERVIEW
Mike Stax talks to the dynamic lead singer of the Chocolate Watchband about the history and legacy of one of the greatest California garage/psych bands of the 1960s.
61 min
17
The Pretty Things: DICK TAYLOR INTERVIEW
In the episode Mike Stax interviews Dick Taylor, lead guitarist and founder member of the Pretty Things about their flawlessly brilliant 1965 album Get the Picture? Along with an immersive track by track examination, Dick shares strange and hilarious stories about their experiences in the pulsing epicenter of mid-sixties midnight-to-six London
91 min
18
THE RAMONES: Johnny Ramone interview
For this episode we take another trip into the Ugly Things tape archive for a January 1995 interview with Johnny Ramone. Johnny talked to Mike Stax about growing up in the ‘50s and ‘60s in Forest Hills, New York, his high school garage band the Tangerine Puppets, and some of the great live shows he saw back then, including the Beatles, the Stones, the Who, the Lovin Spoonful, the Stooges, and his hometown heroes, the Vagrants. And, of course, they talked about the Ramones.
65 min
19
The Small Faces: Ian McLagan Interview
For this episode we dug back into the Ugly Things tape vaults for an interview with Ian McLagan of the Small Faces recorded in January 2014. Mac chats about his many wild adventures with the Small Faces, recording for Immediate Records, songwriting, teen hysteria, LSD, and more.
71 min
20
THE ARTWOODS: Derek Griffiths interview
In this episode we explore the British R&B scene of the mid-60s through the eyes of someone who experienced it first-hand, Derek Griffiths of the Artwoods.
80 min
21
CRIME: Hank Rank interview
In this episode, Mike Stax talks to Hank Rank, drummer for the seminal 1970s West Coast punk rock group, CRIME: San Francisco’s First & Only Rock ‘n’ Roll Band.
84 min
22
P.J. PROBY Interview. Part 2: Torn Velvet & Blo...
In this episode P.J. Proby’s talks about adventures and misadventures in England 1964-66 and his second Hollywood phase in 1966-68.
67 min
23
P.J. PROBY Interview. Part 1: The Hollywood Years
In this unforgettable episode, Mike Stax talks to singer and hell-raiser P.J. Proby, who shares amazing stories about his early days in the music business in Hollywood, 1957-64, and his momentous arrival in England in 1964 to appear on a Beatles TV special.
65 min
24
40 years of Ugly Things Magazine: A History
In this special episode we’re flipping the script with guest host Carl Rusk interviewing Mike Stax about the 40-year history of Ugly Things magazine—the world’s longest-running rock ‘n’ roll fanzine.
76 min
25
The Music Machine: Sean Bonniwell
In this episode we went deep into the Ugly Things archives for an unforgettable conversation with Sean Bonniwell of the Music Machine, one of the most original and innovative garage bands of the ‘60s
66 min