Public Address Podcast

INSIDE YOUR HEAD

Public Address: INSIDE YOUR HEAD

It's always been there with me, hearing and loving music the way I do. I don't know where it comes from, it's just there inside my head and I don't question it.  Miles Davis Musician

Written Produced and Presented by Thom McKeown © 2024

 

TRACKS OF THE YEAR 2023

Public Address: TRACKS OF THE YEAR 2023

The year 2023 saw the release of some amazingly diverse and outstanding music - and on this special edition of Public Address, a chance to hear a personal selection of the top thirty releases over the past twelve months.

Written Produced and Presented by Thom McKeown © 2023

THE PUBLIC ADDRESS CHRISTMAS SPECIAL

Public Address: THE PUBLIC ADDRESS CHRISTMAS SPECIAL

When a new day begins, smile gratefully.
When there is darkness, be the first to shine a light.
When there is injustice, be the first to condemn it.
When something seems difficult, do it anyway.
When life seems to beat you down, fight back.
When there seems to be no hope, find some.
When you’re feeling tired, keep going.
When times are tough, be tougher.
When love hurts you, love again.
When someone is in pain - help them to heal.
When another is lost, help them to find the way.
When a friend falls, be the first to extend a hand.
When you cross paths with another, make them smile.
When you feel great, help someone else to feel great too.
When the day has ended, feel as though you’ve done your best.
Be the best you can – and enjoy the programme.
Merry Christmas!

• Two hours of music delights: seasonal rarities and new discoveries + a special festive Punk Quiz

Written Produced and Presented by Thom McKeown © 2023

 

COOL FOR CATS!

Public Address: COOL FOR CATS!

“The tribalism has gone. A lot of the clothing was displaced violence. We live in a much more rational, sane and dull society. It’s more bourgeois - we need more individualism and maybe a new breed of music for that to happen!" Robert Elms, Writer

Written Produced and Presented by Thom McKeown © 2023

THE STORY IN MUSIC OF DOLLY PARTON

Public Address: THE STORY IN MUSIC OF DOLLY PARTON 

"Songwriting is my way of channeling my feelings and my thoughts. Not just mine, but the things I see, the people I care about. My head would explode if I didn't get it out."  Dolly Parton Musician

Written Produced and Presented by Thom McKeown © 2023

MUSIC FOR MODERNS

Public Address: MUSIC FOR MODERNS (including a Tenuous Link section)

"It's hard to describe how bloody awful music was before the pop revolution began in the 1960s, how desperately bad it was, how performers had become boring and useless. Not only were they bad - they were badly dressed." TONY WILSON Music entrepreneur

Written Produced and Presented by Thom McKeown © 2023

THIS IS WHAT I DO

Public Address: THIS IS WHAT I DO

"I need to have music to listen to or play, for 10 or 12 hours a day. I love it. What is that? I don't know. I guess it's life."  Johnny Cash Musician

Written Produced and Presented by Thom McKeown © 2023

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