The Ugly American Werewolf in London ...

The Ugly American Werewolf in London is a weekly podcast about classic rock, hard rock, progressive rock, heavy metal and early MTV. Hosted by The Wolf, an American expat who misses his record collection more than his friends and family and Action Jackson from the East Coast. These two interview rock legends, review classic albums and concerts of their favorite classic rock bands each week. Action & The Wolf have an unquenchable thirst for knowledge of rock music and its history - tune in to hear what they're passionate about! Proud part of Pantheon Podcasts.


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Music Commentary
Music History
Music Interviews
151
UAWIL #42: Rush - Cinema Strangiato & Roll the ...
On September 9, 2021 the directors cut of Cinema Strangiato from the R40 tour enjoyed a one night theatrical release. Though on opposite sides of the pond, The Wolf & Action Jackson both made it out for this opportunity to see and hear Rush on the big screen.  As part 2 of the Rush double header, the boys reminisce about 30 years since the debut of Roll the Bones when they met in college, camped out for tickets and saw Rush for the first time.
103 min
152
UAWIL #41: Rolling Stones 2-for-1 - Charlie Wat...
The passing of Charlie Watts marks the end of an era lasting nearly 60 years for rock music and the Rolling Stones. We honor the dapper, gentlemanly, quiet rock of the Stones and offer a review of the band's last album of the 1960's, Let it Bleed.  Powered by Gimme Shelter, Can't Always Get What You Want & Midnight Rambler it was album that changed the direction of the Stones and marked the end of the 60s.
70 min
153
UAWIL #40: The Cult - Sonic Temple
The Cult had been marketed as a gothic or post punk band in the mid-80s & made a statement with the albums Love and Electric.  But 1989's Sonic Temple raised their game and sales to whole new level thanks to producer Bob Rock and some killer riffs from Billy Duffy.  Ian Astbury's spiritual lyrics mixed with raucous guitars made Fire Woman a huge hit. More than 30 years later, it's still their biggest & an alltime favorite of Action Jackson.
66 min
154
UAWIL #39: Iron Maiden - Seventh Son of a Seven...
On the eve of the release of their 17th record, Iron Maiden sit atop of the world of heavy metal legends. But their 7th album, Seventh Son of a Seventh Son, offered a proggier sound than previous efforts. With an extraordinary stage set & beloved live VHS, Maiden England, the band showed the world their range & power which are still on display decades later.
57 min
155
UAWIL #38: Somewhere in Time - Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden came off the World Slavery Tour in need of a rest & used their time off to experiment with the latest guitar synth technology.  Somewhere in Time incorporated those new sounds with the classic Maiden gallup as Adrian Smith took a step forward in his writing. The new video The Writing on the Wall harkens back to the epic cover & cyborg Eddie on this mid 80s classic.
59 min
156
UAWIL #37: Oasis - Don't Believe The Truth
The Wolf & Action Jackson may not have caught onto Oasis when they broke out in the 90s but thankfully it happened later. 2005's Don't Believe the Truth is the best of their albums in this century with the best lineup the band ever had.  From the sing-alongs like Lyla & Let There Be Love, rockers Mucky Fingers & Turn Up the Sun & the eclectic The Importance of Being Idle, this record isn't given the credit it is due.
70 min
157
UAWIL #36: KISS - KISStory Documentary Part 2
Anytime to you get The Wolf & Action Jackson talking about KISS, it's hard to get them to stop.  On Part 2 of our take on the recent A&E documentary KISStory, we go more in-depth on the show and the past, present & future of the band.  Plus we share some personal experiences from seeing them live and one fateful night in college when The Wolf spoke to their Ace Frehley poster. 
75 min
158
UAWIL #35: KISS - KISStory Documentary Part 1
KISS changed the world in the 70s with their makeup & bombastic live show.  Over the decades there have been lineup changes, drama & some great music.  A&E's KISStory documentary is now the official tale of the band throughout the years and it revealed many little details that KISS fans have always wanted to know.  This is Part 1 of our review of the show and we include a brief review of the new Iron Maiden song/video Writing on the Wall.
68 min
159
UAWIL #34: Eric Clapton - Crossroads Part 2
We pick up where we left off discussing Eric Clapton's career defining box set Crossroads. We're in the Derek & the Dominoes era, talking about Layla, Eric's 70s output, some of his struggles and his resurrection in the 80s.  The Wolf remembers his first Clapton show from 1990 in the 3rd row which forever changed his life and from which he keeps a souvenir.
44 min
160
Trailer: Ugly American Werewolf In London Rock ...
Here's our trailer with a preview of UAWIL #34 on Eric Clapton - Crossroads Part 2.  Check out all past episodes on .  Subscribe & download on , , or anywhere you get your podcasts.  And follow us on Twitter or .  Let us know which band or album you want us to review!!
1 min
161
UAWIL #33: Eric Clapton - Crossroads Part 1
Eric Clapton's career is unparalleled in rock history. He's played with so many amazing musicians and put out an extraordinary catalog of music.  In 1988, he released his career encompassing Crossroads 4CD box set which was a huge seller and made an irreversible imprint on a young Ugly American Werewolf.  After a review of EURO 2020, we dive into this treasure trove and explore Clapton's first decade of music on Part 1 of 2 on Crossroads.
47 min
162
UAWIL #32: Blizzard of Ozz - Ozzy Osbourne & Ra...
At the end of the 70s, no one imagined Ozzy Osbourne who was ousted from Black Sabbath would emerge as huge solo artist. The collaboration with Randy Rhoads & stewardship by Sharon Arden (Osbourne) led to a ground-breaking heavy metal record that blended UK heaviness with LA bravado. Randy Rhoads broke new ground & Ozzy came back to life with Blizzard of Ozz.
63 min
163
UAWIL #31: The Reunion Episode
The Ugly American Werewolf in London Rock Podcast was born out of COVID lockdown.  Two old friends would connect every week to discuss records they loved or had just discovered, reflect on shows they'd seen together & research the music they loved. Now The Wolf has left the UK for a brief tour of the USA where he and Action Jackson had the chance to record the show together in person and reflect on the last 16 months.
63 min
164
UAWIL #30: The Church - Starfish
The Church got big exposure in America thanks to Under the Milky Way off of Starfish, their first record with Arista.  Most in the US don't know the band beyond that song but Starfish is bookended by two great records - Heyday and Gold Afternoon Fix.  We dive deep into Starfish and the deluxe edition for b-sides while looking at their entire catalog.  Starfish introduced us to a band that has made great records for more than 40 years.
52 min
165
UAWIL #29: Paul Rodgers
Canadian/English singer Paul Rodgers is an incredible, bluesy rock vocalist who has sold over 125 million records around the world.  And yet, he is not well known by the general public nor has he been up for the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame.  Starting with Free in the 60s, Bad Company, The Firm, Queen and solo, Paul Rodgers has an extraordinary body of work which we celebrate on this episode.
54 min
166
UAWIL #28: Genesis - Selling England By The Pound
Genesis may have ruled the 80s as pop rock gurus but their roots are very progressive. With Peter Gabriel as their frontman and Steve Hackett providing extraordinary yet understated guitar work, Genesis forged some extremely creative music in the early- to mid-70s. Selling England By The Pound may be the high water mark for that incarnation of the band and is highlighted by masterful musicianship and the examination of what it means to be English in a fast changing world.
51 min
167
UAWIL #27: AC/DC Live
In 1992, AC/DC released a live album that showcased all the bands material from the previous 20 years. With no greatest hits package, this was the only way to have a collection of songs from both the Bon Scott and Brian Johnson eras.  Fresh off the success of Thunderstruck & the Razor's Edge, this captures AC/DC at the height of their powers after the death of Bon Scott.
53 min
168
UAWIL #26: Asia - Part 2 Alpha to Omega & beyond
After the smash success of Asia in 1982, the supergroup quickly followed up with Alpha in 1983. Despite the success of Don't Cry, tensions started to pull the band apart. While the group continued on with different lineups over the next couple of decades, the excitement never reached its original peak again. A reunion from 2006-2013 proved magical for fans of the band and allowed them to go out on a positive note.
51 min
169
UAWIL #25: Asia - Part 1 Asia 1982
in 1982, Asia formed as the 80s first super group with Carl Palmer from Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Steve Howe of Yes, Geoff Downes of The Buggles and John Wetton of King Crimson, Uriah Heep and Roxy Music.  Though maligned as corporate rock, these four progressive maestros created an incredible mix of pop, rock & prog that went on to sell 10 million copies.  Heat of the Moment is an all-time great pop/rock song and has allowed the band to continue in various incarnations over the last 40 years.  This is part 1 of our series on Asia, where we go in-depth on the chart topping debut.
51 min
170
UAWIL #24: Aerosmith - Pandora's Box
By the early 90s, Aerosmith were back on top of the world after a crossover collaboration with Run DMC and two hit records in the late 80s.  But in the 70s, Aerosmith hit the scene with an amazing hard, bluesy sound that was all over the radio and concert venues.  Excess led to their demise but Pandora's Box captured all that incredible music on a 3 disc set that is absolutely amazing.  We review our experience discovering hidden gems along with their greatest hits and analyze how they made the biggest comeback in rock history.
65 min
171
Preview: Aerosmith - Pandora's Box Set
Here's a 5 minute preview of UAWIL #24 on Aerosmith's box set Pandora's box.  We preview the 1991 set and how it helped us appreciate Aerosmith in the 70s and early 80s.  And we explain why we were gone for a week due to a ring of the door bell, an overexcited dog, a full glass of water and a laptop.
4 min
172
UAWIL #23: Duran Duran
MTV played a significant role in the lives of American youths in the early 1980s. It was no different for the Wolf or Action Jackson as this new format opened up a world of culture we wouldn't have otherwise been exposed to.  Duran Duran, with their new wave fashion, pin-up looks and funky pop songs took the video genre to a whole new level and secured their place in pop culture.
62 min
173
UAWIL #22: Keith Richards - Talk is Cheap & Mai...
Keith Richards is one of the legendary icons of rock n roll. Everyone knows him as a guitar god, for having written so many great Stones songs and as a raconteur. But his solo albums, though few and under appreciated, offer some of his best work as a singer and writer. We dissect 1988's Talk is Cheap & 1992's Main Offender while exploring songs he sang on Stones albums and recalling a fun time in our lives.
55 min
174
UAWIL #21: The Cult - Love
The Cult may have been catapulted into the spotlight and on MTV with Fire Woman from Sonic Temple.  But they shaped their sound best on their 2nd album, Love.  Released in 1985, it contained solid radio hits like She Sells Sanctuary and Rain but it was a cohesive record that established their hard rock, psychedelic, atmospheric sound which is hard to imitate and to define.  This is a go to record for The Wolf and the best album by Action Jackson's favorite band.
55 min
175
UAWIL #20: YES - Progressive Rock Heroes
YES came out of the 60s and forged their own identity through extraordinary musicianship, intricate songs and fantastic artwork.  While some hits have kept them on classic rock for decades, the different eras and lineups over the last 50 years have created a catalog like none other.  So whether you like the 20 minute epics, the uber popular Owner of a Lonely Heart or don't know much about the band, our examination will peel back some layers and appreciate this special group.
53 min