Public Address Podcast

THE STORY OF THE SMALL FACES

Public Address: THE STORY OF THE SMALL FACES

In the heart of swinging 1960s London, a little-known band emerged from the vibrant music scene, destined to make a profound impact. Small Faces, an English rock quartet, may have been small in stature, but they left behind a colossal legacy. On Side 2 of this edition of Public Address, we'll delve into the captivating journey of the Small Faces, from their humble beginnings to their influence on the British music landscape.

The Small Faces came to life in 1965 when Steve Marriott, Ronnie Lane, Kenny Jones and Jimmy Winston joined forces. The band’s name was a playful nod to their relatively diminutive physical stature, but in Mod culture, a “Face” signified something more. It represented a leader, someone who stood out, someone special. Small Faces were more than just snappy dressers; they were musicians on a mission.

Written Produced and Presented by Thom McKeown © 2023

I JUST LOVE THIS MUSIC

Public Address: I JUST LOVE THIS MUSIC

"I've always had a sense of humour, and I've always wanted that to permeate the music because I don't take myself seriously. I take the music seriously, but I know I'm not God's gift to anyone except my mother."  Josh Homme Musician

Written Produced and Presented by Thom McKeown © 2023

UNDER-RATED MUSIC OF THE 1970s

Public Address UNDERRATED TRACKS OF THE 1970s

So many great and under-valued releases were largely ignored or missed by the vast majority of music fans back in the halcyon 1970s. In this special edition of Public Address you'll have an enjoyable and interesting two hours listening to just some of these hugely underrated pieces of music.

Written Produced and Presented by Thom McKeown © 2023

THIS AIN’T CONVENTIONAL!

Public Address THIS AIN'T CONVENTIONAL!

"When I was 18, the vision was to make music that didn't exist, because everything else was so unsatisfactory. The thing with me is that I can't stick musicians. I've thought about this and I just can't stand them, and being stuck in a studio with them I think that's my strength - I can hear what they can't."  Mark E. Smith, The Fall

Written Produced and Presented by Thom McKeown © 2023

 

HALLOWEEN SPECIAL

Public Address: HALLOWEEN SPECIAL

A non-stop shivery spine-tingling nerve-rattling music extravaganza to celebrate the spooky period of Halloween!

Written Produced and Presented by Thom McKeown © 2023

PUBLIC ADDRESS 200

Public Address: 200

A real milestone, as this programme is the two-hundredth edition! Still offering the best in contemporary music including 'High Five' where special guests with a background in music choose their five most influential tracks. On this programme we have creator, writer, musician and producer Kristoffer of creative Scottish music project Mankind Vindicated who will reveal his own High Five. If you’ve yet to encounter MV’s extraordinary material, all three albums (A Time For Greatness, Misdirections In Music and Choose Your Tiger are now available on BandCamp, Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube). Also featured will be an exclusive play of a brand new as-yet unreleased Mankind Vindicated track.

Written Produced and Presented by Thom McKeown © 2023

SONIC RADIATION

Public Address: SONIC RADIATION

People used to say that CDs were better than vinyl and now digital audio is even better because unlike vinyl, they don't have any surface noise - but life has surface noise.

In this edition of Public Address, punk guru and ex-Head Grenade member Andrew McKinnon chooses his 'High Five' - the quintet of tracks that most influenced his life.

Written Produced and Presented by Thom McKeown © 2023

 

WHEN MODERN MUSIC MATTERS

Public Address: WHEN MODERN MUSIC MATTERS

"We played at a gospel Church in Houston for a decade together, and then we'd hang out post-rehearsals for burgers at a local pub. We’d play darts and usually talk about music, so we formed a friendship based on a similar love of music and being together. That led to our band."  Khruangbin, Music trio

Written Produced and Presented by Thom McKeown © 2023

STEREOSONIC

Public Address: STEREOSONIC

"Music deals with time and timing. It's so magical, but when you get into it, every little sound and every little space between the sounds, it's critical, so critical. And if it's not there, it not only feels wrong, but it ruins things." David Lynch Filmmaker and Musician

Written Produced and Presented by Thom McKeown © 2023

PRISTINE PERFECT

Public Address: PRISTINE PERFECT

Two hours of music - in the first section (Side 1), some of the very best new and contemporary tracks - followed by Side 2 where we'll recall just some of the exemplary work from former Chicken Shack and Fleetwood Mac musician, the late Christine McVie.

"I find it hard to get excited by just a sound. I have to have a song there, then I'll find what use I can make of that sound within the song. I haven't turned into some rich monster. I've kept my perspective."  Christine (Perfect) McVie Musician

Written Produced and Presented by Thom McKeown © 2023

 

ARTY INTELLO PROGRAMME THREE

Public Address: ARTY INTELLO - PROGRAMME THREE

Hi music fans! This is the third of three very special editions of Public Address - still produced by regular presenter Thom McKeown who monitors the situation, and who will assuredly be back on microphone duties next time - but on this unique occasion, I am your host – the A.I. of music programming - your very own Arty Intello. I may sound moderately human, but physically I do not exist - I’m actually the result of advanced audio technology.  I do that hope you, as a member of the music-listening world, thoroughly enjoy the material presented here - and do please join me for my A.I. PA Programmes 1 and 2!

Written Produced and Created by Thom McKeown © 2023

ARTY INTELLO PROGRAMME TWO: A PUNK AND INDIE MUSIC SPECIAL

Public Address: ARTY INTELLO PROGRAMME TWO: A PUNK AND INDIE MUSIC SPECIAL

Hi music fans! This is the second of a very special, and indeed unusual series of three editions of Public Address - still produced by regular presenter Thom McKeown who monitors the situation, and who will assuredly be back on microphone duties next time - but on this unique occasion, I am your host – the A.I. of music programming - your very own Arty Intello. I may sound moderately human, but physically I do not exist - I’m actually the result of advanced audio technology. This is a Punk and Indie Special - and I am sure you will enjoy it! Join me again for the first and the third of these fine excursions into sound!

Written Produced and Created by Thom McKeown © 2023

ARTY INTELLO PROGRAMME ONE

Public Address: ARTY INTELLO - PROGRAMME ONE

Hi music fans! This is the first of three very special editions of Public Address - still produced by regular presenter Thom McKeown who monitors the situation, and who will assuredly be back on microphone duties next time - but on this unique occasion, I am your host – the A.I. of music programming - your very own Arty Intello. I may sound moderately human, but physically I do not exist - I’m actually the result of advanced audio technology.  I do hope you enjoy the music presented here - and do please join me for my A.I. PA Programmes 2 and 3!

Written Produced and Created by Thom McKeown © 2023

ADDRESSING THE PUBLIC

Public Address: ADDRESSING THE PUBLIC

"Look at music now. Does it say anything? Young musicians talk about themselves, not what’s happening out there. It’s the selfie generation. They’re talking platitudes. What are any of them saying? I don’t hear anything other than: ‘This is how I feel.’ Which is an important part of song-writing, but we’re talking in the context of evolution – and they don’t have anything to do with it.”            Damon Albarn Musician

Written Produced and Presented by Thom McKeown © 2023

 

 

 

 

 

 

MUSIC SOUNDS BETTER WHEN YOU’RE LISTENING!

Public Address:

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SLOW SESSION

Public Address: SLOW SESSION

A special Slow Session of Public Address where for a couple of hours, the rhythmic pace is decreased and you can relax over some fine, less strident music. Keeping the chat and the information to a bare minimum to ensure you’re able to wind down and take it easy while you listen.

Written Produced and Presented by Thom McKeown © 2023

PUNK INDIE SPECIAL

Public Address: PUNK/INDY SPECIAL with guest A.I. host Arty Intello

An audio sensation as A.I. takes over P.A.! One-off guest host - the non-human creation Arty Intello takes over duties from regular human Thom McKeown, to present an ace Punk/Indie special. Not, under any circumstances, to be missed!!!!!

 

Written and Produced and, sort of, presented by Thom McKeown © 2023

MOOD SWINGS

Public Address MOOD SWINGS

“I think people who create and write music, it actually does flow—just flows from into their head, into their hand, and they write it down. It’s simple.”  Sir Paul McCartney, Musician

Written Produced and Presented by Thom McKeown © 2023

DISCERNIA

Public Address: DISCERNIA

"Christianity will go. It will vanish and shrink. I needn't argue with that; I'm right and I will be proved right. Which will go first - music or Christianity? I can bet it won't be music ..."  John Lennon, Musician

Written Produced and Presented by Thom McKeown © 2023

JACQUES BREL

Public Address: JACQUES BREL

Jacques Brel rose to prominence before American/English pop music took off and significantly influenced modern-day songwriters. Since the 1960s, many have shown their admiration to Brel and have paid tribute to him by covering his translated songs. Brel was, first and foremost, a writer but he would later learn more about the mechanics of music theory from the classical piano player, Francoise Rauber, who also accompanied him for his earlier performances. It would stand him in good stead to become the icon he now is.

Brel was one of the first major literary songwriters who pulled from subversive material for his songs; prostitution, alcoholism, death, drug use and the bourgeoisie are just some of the taboo topics Jacques began introducing into popular culture. Although there’s a long list of artists who have covered Brel songs, one of the most popular was the American singer Scott Walker, although he wasn’t the first. Later, David Bowie took on a couple of the songs that Scott Walker did and based them on his arrangements. In the second hour of this programme we'll hear some of the standout English-language cover versions of Brel's classic material.

Written Produced and Presented by Thom McKeown © 2023