Mr. Suave's Mod Mod World is the web's original modcast celebrating the music of the mod lifestyle, as well as mod-influenced music from past eras. You'll hear everything from power pop to rock, soul to ska, acid jazz to lounge, and whatever falls in between.
One of the things which has impressed me most in life was the mod movement in England, which was an incredible, youthful thing." -- Pete Townshend, The Who, 1968
Catalogued here are the sights and sounds of mod as I understand it. Much will be familiar to other mods. I realize many narrow-minded people, mods and others, will look at much of this and dismiss it as not truly "mod." So be it.
However you view it, I hope you enjoy exploring these sights and sounds as much as I did putting them together.
In today's mod, mod world, what is suave?
Dredging through the memories of the misspent days of my youth I found that the styles, music, fashions, even the words I read all led me down a common path. The various twists and turns of that path drove me to the edge of the cocktail culture [http://www.mistersuave.com]. Teetering on the brink, I was finally repulsed by the mockery of things once held cool. Repulsed enough to pull myself back and begin making my way down a new path of my own creation.
Here then is a path where my days of now pay homage to those who have gone before, heeding well-worn advice in the conception of my own modernistic stylings. While there is nothing new under the sun, there can be fresh ways to look at what has passed us by; original ways of combining those pasts into a more perfect understanding.
I don't believe in living in the past, but in using the past to enhance living for today. When I was swinging in the mod scene I was always looking for those people, fashions, sounds, trends, groups who could honor the past while creating a new style all their own.
Every era produces its own bit of swank culture, suave styles, and just plain cool. Once cool, always cool. Once granted, there is no retracting the title of suave. Most of what is here comprises those cool things and hip people who over the years have gained that certain ... Je ne sais quoi.
In music -- jazz, lounge, mod, and certainly even some current rock and pop groups and musicians are here, and are suave.
Suave is what you make it. In my mod world these things are suave because I make them that way.
Solid soul and style,
Mr. Suave
Feed Shark [http://feedshark.brainbliss.com]
Welcome to Mr. Suave's Mod Mod World. Got a little bit of everything for you this week from the synthesized soul of The Style Council and The Truth to the ska of Bad Manners and The Selecter to the psychadelic pop sounds of The Moody Blues and The Monkees. Even got a great instrumental from The Smiths, "Oscillate Wildly", which is simply a fantastic song. So, I think that you will not be disappointed in this show. In fact, I'm so sure of it, I promise your money back if you don't like it from beginning to end.
Be sure to head over to the modcast homepage at www.mistersuave.comto get track listings for this and all previous modcasts, links to band websites, and some cool bonus videos each week. And of course, you can swing by daily for a little dose of mod goodness of one sort or another. Only a few days left until my mod-a-day project wraps up for the year, so stay tuned.
[Editor's Note: I've uploaded a new file to correct the problems with the old one, so you'll want to listen to this new cast.] Bienvenue au monde de M. Mod Suave's Mod, ce qui était français mod Beat Band Sheetah et Weissmüller ouverture du salon. Or, as we say in English, -- which I have to since my French is really terrible, Welcome to Mr. Suave's Mod Mod World. This week's show is opened by a swingin' freakbeat bit of a piece from French mod combo Sheetah & les Weissmüller. The track here is from their brand new album which is all in French, but does sport one song in english, a blistering cover of "My Little Red Book". Lots more brand new stuff on the show from Lucky Fish, Dwight Twilley, The Rifles and Reel Big Fish, as well as some old faves from Elton Motello, Elastica, The Len Price 3 and more.
Head on over to the modcast homepage at www.mistersuave.com to get the play list, check out some cool bonus videos and much more.
Welcome to Mr. Suave's Mod Mod World. This is the second of my big power pop shows, because as I pointed out last week, one modcast alone couldn't contain it all. So I've put together another near dozen perfect power pop songs. Some you'll be familiar with, and a few you might not, from the likes of The Raspberries, Gary Valentine, The Peasants, The Zippers and more. Be sure to swing by the modcast homepage at www.mistersuave.com and check out this week's bonus videos from The Headboys and The Shoes.
What are you doing reading this? Get to downloading the show, pure musical enjoyment is on the way.
Anyone who listens to this show or reads this blog will quickly realize that I'm a big power pop fan. So, I'm finally doing a right proper power pop show. And to kick it all off I've got a Mod World exclusive. If you're a mod power pop fan of a certain age you are probably familiar Modest Proposal -- they were a mid-80s mod band from Washington DC. Opening the show this week is a previously unreleased, --even unrecorded-- song by MP, "Already An Angel," It was penned by lead singer Neal Augestein just about the time the band broke up back in 1986 and the they just got around to recording it about a week ago in prep for their upcoming reunion show. If you don't have a ticket though you are out of luck as the show is now sold out. Besides Modest Proposal there's lots of good stuff on this week's show. Like a kid in a candy store, my eyes were bigger than my stomach so to speak, so this is just part one of the Big Power Pop Show. You gotta love a power pop show so big that one modcast can't contain it.
Head on over the modcast homepage for a complete tracklisting for this show, to see this week's bonus videos, get links to bands, and lots, lots more.
I'm back baby. You can't get rid of me that easy. Between guest hosts, and sharing a few of the old shows from the vaults, it seems I haven't done a lot of my modcasting of late. A big shout of thanks to the recent guest hosts who've made me look like such an amateurish hack -- Dan from The New Fidelity (Modcast #140), Neal from Modest Proposal (Modcast #143) and Ken from The Shingles (Modcast #144).
But, I'm back on the beat, Pete. And have I got a show for you. Don't believe me? Just listen in: www.mistersuave.com
The air is cold and there's a definitely chill after dark these days. That can only mean that Halloween must be nearly upons us. With that in mind here is a spooky, surprise-filled modcast from guest DJ Ken from The Shingles -- Something Wicked This Way Comes. Be sure to check out mistersuave.com for more podcasts, spooky and otherwise.
I Monster - The Blue Wrath (Neveroddoreven, 2003)
Boss Martians - Have You Ever Seen
3-D Invisibles - Vampires A Go Go (Vampires A-Go-Go, 1988)
Kaiser George & Los Straitjackets - All Back to Drac's (Twist Party!!!, 2006)
Hi-Risers - Gruesome Twosome (In the Spotlight!, 2001)
Social Distortion - The Creeps (I Just Wanna Give You) (Mommy's Little Monster, 1983)
D.I. - Richard Hung Himself (Team Goon, 1983)
Jim Carroll Band - People Who Died (Catholic Boy, 1980)
Bauhaus - St. Vitus Dance (In the Flat Field, 1980)
Lori Burton (The Whyte Boots) - Nightmare (Single, 1966)
Otis Redding - Trick or Treat (Dreams to Remember: The Otis Redding Anthology, 1998)
Tubes - Attack Of The Fifty Foot Woman (The Completion Backward Principle, 1981)
Fools - Scary Movies (Show 'em You're Nuts, 1992)
Goldstars - Halloween Hell (Tasty Instrumentals, 2008)
David Bowie - Please, Mr. Gravedigger (David Bowie, 1967)
Once more into the vault my friends, once more into the vault. Step back in time, to a time when the modcast was young and fresh. Take a giant step outside your current listening constraints and journey with me all the way back to . . . . what? Just last year? That's not so far back. But it is that spooky time of year again -- Modoween. Last year Ken from The Shingles served up a heapin' helpin' of spooky stuff and he's gearing up to do so again next week. So, this week I'm just giving you a little reminder of what you have to look forward.
I've opened up the vaults and dusted off a classic Ken modcast that I think you'll enjoy. Again.
Halloween Modcast 2008: Monsters A-Go-Go!
Be afraid, be very afraid. Ken from The Shingles is at the controls of the modcast this week and if that doesn't scare you, nothing will. Get haunted.
One of the first mod singles I ever owned was by Modest Proposala band out of Washington DC. It was a great single and I played it to death over the years. So, it was cool to get a message from Neal Augentstein, MP's lead singer, with news that the band was planning to reunite. They will be playing November 28th at Comet Ping Pong, on upper Connecticut Avenue in Washington, DC - and the opening band will be The Reply. (Get tix here)
Neal, who now works at radio station WTOP is chronicling the band's reunion. The first post is here and there are several others as well. I wish I could be in DC to see the band back together. If any of you do get to the show take some pictures and let us all know how it turns out.
This week's show is hosted by Neal and it's a crackin' good one. I think you'll enjoy it, I know I did.
Welcome to Mr. Suave's Mod Mod World. This week's show is nothing short of loungerific, with some groovy instrumentals, some swingin' covers, and just lots of cool songs from beginning to end. French lounge master Chris Joss is in the house with his latest, as is Frank Popp Ensemble. Got a nice little set of pacific northwest lounge acts, The Colorifics, Dudley Manlove Quartet and Johnny Astro are complimented by the classic sound stylings of Vic Damone, Jeri Southern and the one and only Mel Torme. And there are some great bonus videos of Mel and Vic from back in the day, doing their thing. So be sure to swing by the modcast homepage and check it out.
Once more into the vault my friends, once more into the vault. Step back in time, to a time when the modcast was young and fresh. Take a giant step outside your current listening constraints and journey with me all the way back to the logn ago days of 2006. I've opened up the vaults and dusted off a classic modcast that I think you'll enjoy. Again.
Welcome to Episode 15 with all Sounds of the Sixties. There's so much great mod (and mod influenced) music from the 60s that doing a thirty minute show is really hard. But, I've put together some tracks I think you'll enjoy.
Welcome to Mr. Suave's Mod Mod World. Summer is slowly winding down here in Seattle which means this is one of the last shows of the summer, and if it sounds different that's because I recorded this outside on my deck under the glorious star studded night sky here in Seattle. Just getting in one last nice night before winter rains set in.
The show this week features predominately 80s sophistipop: soul mixed with jazz and pop, infused with strings and horns, and synthesized throughout. Lots of mod and mod friendly bands were part of the movement, which helped pave the way for the acid jazz of the 90s. Thanks to my friend Mary who's insistence that it would be worth the trip to Milano to see Swing Out Sister caused me to dig back through some old stuff and come up with a bunch of great tracks for this week's show.
Be sure to head on over to the modcast homepage for complete track listings, links to band sites, and of course some cool bonus vides from Animal Nightlife and Haircut 100. Enjoy.
This week the modcast is most ably hosted by Dan from The New Fidelity. The New Fidelity is a well-established mod outift from Southern California that has produced some fantastic work featured on past modcasts even. So, I'm pretty happy to be able to turn over this week's program to Dan and let him run wild with some truly great mod music from the likes of Eddie Holland, Small Faces, The Kinks, The Jam and more.
Be sure to head over to the modcast homepage at mistersuave.com for track lists, band links, and more.
Also, check out The New Fidelity's website at newfidelity.com for more about the band, videos and so on. And, you can listen to their sound on their Myspace page.
Welcome to Mr. Suave's Mod Mod World. Meant to have this show posted much earlier today, but better late than never right? You like mod driven music you say, well then this modcast is going to drive you insane. It's stocked with soul infused, R&B driven, power pop exactly like today's mods like it.
Be sure to head over to Mr. Suave's Mod Mod World at mistersuave.com.
Welcome to Mr. Suave's Mod Mod World. It was a good week to put this particular show together. I got to dig out some old friends, like The Untouchables and Madness, and make some new ones like The Brigadier and Tony Cox.
Madness and The Untouchables were two of the first mod/ska bands I discovered in the early 80s when I started getting into the mod scene. At the time there were prescious few local mod bands, even in Southern California, and there was little or no general awareness of mod/ska from around the world, in particular the UK. It was quite the effort to unearth the records, requiring long drives to Hollywood or Orange County to indie record shops. There was something special about having to expend such effort.
Now days you hop online and in seconds you know the history of most bands, you've downloaded practically their entire discography, and you have more pictures and videos than you even want. And still, if you asked any member of the general public about The Untouchables they'd think you meant the movie, and if they remember Madness at all it's only because of the constant radio play that "Our House" got in 1983.
So, I'm hopeful that when people hop online they stumble across this site and hopefully are introduced to some interesting music that they can then track down more of elsewhere. This modcast is packed with fantastic tracks, if I do say so myself, so head over to the modcast homepage, listen in, watch the bonus videos, and enjoy. Then take a drive down the information superhighway for more.
Welcome to Mr. Suave's Mod Mod World. We're all winners when you've got a great day like today, and a great show like this one. The weather in Seattle has been hot, hot, and now cooler with chances of sunspots breakin' out if the picture out my window is any indication of what's in store. That's what's in store for you too -- hot and cool music with chances of sunspots. Lots of cool new stuff from Cornershop, The Bishops and The Rakes as well as a few hot gems from yesteryear by the likes of Backseat Romeos, Patrick Fitzgerald and The Loot. The forecast shows that listeners of this show are indeed the winners.
Be sure to hit the modcast homepage to check out bonus videos. Got a brand new one from The Rakes, and a little spoken word and singing from the punk poet himself, Patrick Fitzgerald.
Kickin' it old school in the mod world this week. Gettin' back to when the gettin' was seriously good, along about 1966 and thereabouts. This week's modcast features a nice set of sixties mod, garage, blues, psych pop from the likes of The Small Faces, Powder, Graham Bond Organization, Alan Brown Set, Mouse & The Traps and more. As hot as it's been in Seattle of late, this is a much needed set of super cool music.
Be sure to hit the modcast homepage for a complete set list, and to check out some cool bonus videos including the Graham Bond Organization from the horrid 1965 film "Gonks Go Beat". Don't be a stranger.
Once more into the vault my friends, once more into the vault. Step back in time, to a time when the modcast was young and fresh. Take a giant step outside your current listening constraints and journey with me all the way back to the cold and blustery days of February 2008. I've opened up the vaults and dusted off a classic modcast that I think you'll enjoy. Again.
Welcome to Mr. Suave’s cold, cold world. Cold, brrrr, because I spent this past week in the freezing cold, the subzero, completely ungodly temperatures of snowy Minnesota. I thought for sure that I’d have all the time in the world to work on the modcast – I mean what the hell else do you do when it’s below zero? And way, way, way, below zero with the wind chill. Surprisingly, I had a full schedule of relaxing, drinking martinis, sleeping, drinking martinis, relaxing, drinking martinis, and visiting with the family. Oh yeah, and drinking martinis. Gotta keep warm somehow. No matter, the songs on this week’s show are hot, hot, hot. We’ve got mod, mod and more mod. From The Crooks and The Lambrettas to Manual Scan and The Vertabrats, it’s all good. Welcome to modcast #85. Enjoy.
Welcome to another mid-summer classic, this of the power pop kind. There's nothing better than the news that power pop legends Cheap Trick -- celebrating their 35th year of existence if you can believe it -- have a new album simply titled The Latest. Or that California's own sunshine power poppers extraordinaire, The Orange Peels, have a new release in the works. And if you throw in new stuff from the Beatseekers, Baskervilles and Green Day, well than you've got a summer line up that is sure to be a winner. Pull a lawn chair, smooth out blanket, pop open a cold one or six, and enjoy the show my friends.
This modcast is a bit different than the others, since I'm turning the mod mod world into the punk punk world. Growing up in southern California in the early 80s I was lucky enough to get to take in some of the great music of the era, namely hardcore punk. Most of the time I was wearing paisly shirts, three button mohair suits, desert boots and riding my scooter. But there were sometimes when you just needed to experience some non-violent violence, some unagressive agression. Those were when you headed out to see some hardcore bands like The Stepmothers, Circle Jerks, Delirium Tremens, Pilsbury Hardcore, the Dickies, TSOL and their ilk. The music was fast and loud and the crowds were over the top. Good luck if you were a little guy like me who got caught in the wrong pit. There were one or two times where I came home bruised and bloodied and missing a shoe or shirt. So, here's some heavier stuff, some hardcore suave style.
As usual you can hit the modcast homepage at www.mistersuave.com for a complete track listing and some cool bonus videos.
Welcome to Mr. Suave's Mod Mod World where it is now time for you to get on your good foot and get going. I've got some super souped up soul for you, complete with all the sides of jazz, funk, and pop you can handle. You are about to swing into an incredibly cool mix of dancable music with brand new tracks from James Taylor Quartet and Herbaliser Band, as well as downright filthy funk from Double Beat, Quantic, the Bamboos, Lettuce and more. Right now I think its time you get on your feet and get this party started. Then you can slip and slide over to the modcast homepage for a complete track listing, links to band sites, and bonus videos from Paulo Negri & the Diplomettes and Quantic Soul Orchestra. Don't forget to stop by each day for a little taste of mod via the Mod-A-Day project.
Once more into the mod world vault my friends, once more into the vault. Step back in time, to a time when the modcast was young and fresh. Take a giant step outside your current listening constraints and journey with me all the way back to the cold and blustery days of January 2007. I've opened up the vaults and dusted off a classic modcast that I think you'll enjoy. Again.
It's time to get back to basics, to brush up on the foundations of the whole mod thing. So, I've put together a list --certainly not definitive-- of what I think are some of the most foundational bands of the mod scene. Some of these were bands that actively championed the mod movement, and others were bands that embodied a mod sense of style and sound. All of them have inspired mods, and laid the groundwork for later punk, powerpop, and garage bands.
Head on over to the modcast homepage at mistersuave.com for a complete track listing and to check out some cool bonus videos.
On this first full day of summer guest host Ken (he's from the Shingles, really) steps into the studio to spin up some sunshine love perfect for lazing the day away on the beach. Be sure to head over to the modcast homepage and leave a comment for Ken!
Brian Wilson - Morning Beat (That Lucky Old Sun, 2008)
Welcome to Mr. Suave's Mod Mod World, modcast #131 if you can believe it. I don't know about you, but I've got the blues. The legendary queen of the blues Koko Taylor died a little more than a week ago, and that sparked me to dig out and revisit some my old blues, esepcially the British blues of the sixties, the early R&B. London's blues scene in the late 50s and early sixties spawned a number of bands and musicians that went on to great fame, many with very mod sounds - Rolling Stones, Georgie Fame, Them, the Animals, the Yardbirds and so on . And No doubt Ms. Koko Taylor was an inspiration to sixties mods who were blending the blues with rock, and jazz with soul, and creating radically new sorts of sounds. So, now it's time to get some mod blues. Remember, you can get all things mod over at the modcast homepage at www.mistersuave.com.
Once more into the vault my friends, once more into the vault. Step back in time, to a time when the modcast was young and fresh. Take a giant step outside your current listening constraints and journey with me all the way back to the warm, breezy, barbecuey days of mid-summer 2007. I've opened up the vaults and dusted off a classic modcast that I think you'll enjoy. Again.
Welcome to Mr. Suave's Mod Mod World and to the start of our second season. I apologize to all the listeners of the mod world for my scheduling mishaps of late and promise to keep to a better, and more consistent schedule in the future. I think you'll agree that this week's show pretty much makes up for having to wait a few extra days to enjoy it.
Welcome to Mr. Suave's Mod Mod World, and welcome to summer. Like it or not, this is the obligatory summer show. Can't wait til the summer comes. How can I tell it's summer in Seattle? Please, there were two momentary sun breaks today, and a bunch of fat chicks broke out the inappropriate shorts and tube tops. Oh yeah, Metro was smellin' pretty ripe on the way home. So what do you do when the sun is out and the mercury thaws, you head to what were just voted the worst beaches in the United States -- those right here in western Washington. You'll see that the Jet Set Six are opening the show with "Let's Go To the Beach". Apparently they've never been to the beaches in Washington. Being from New York that isn't surprising. Other surprises on this show? These aren't surprises, but they are special treats, especially when you put them all together. How about Ronnie Mayor former lead singer of The Tours, or the Cute Lepers now recording on Joan Jett's Blackheart Records label, or mod trumpeter Alan Brown's version of Sunny. All perfect for a sunny day. So, get our your chaise lounge, stir up a gin and tonic, and soak in some rays while the music plays. For a full track list and some cool bonus videos to watch while you're sipping that G&T, be sure to visit the modcast homepage at mistersuave.com.
Welcome to Mr. Suave's Mod Mod World. Got an eclectic show this week with lots of different types of stuff. The new Joe Jackson Live at the BBC just came out a couple of weeks ago and I've been listening to it continuously, and it's just excellent. The version of Got the Time here is one of the best Jackson ever recorded. Other gems include some nice, rockin' power pop from Star Collector and OK Go, some groovy sixties pop music from The Groop and Yellow Balloon, and a nice set of 2-Tone bands doing easy listening, lounge ska. Be sure grabe the full track list over on the modast homepage and while you're there check out this week's bonus videos from The Specials and Madness.
The sun is out, the flu has flown, Beckham will not take the field today against Seattle's Sounders FC. For the moment, all is right in Mr. Suave's Mod Mod World. All will be right in your mod world once you've listened in to this week's modcast. It's a doozy. Cool new tracks from Bubblegum Lemonade, Connett, 110th Street and The Cocktail Slippers -- whose latest video by the way you can check out on the modcast homepage at mistersuave.com. Round it out with some hammond based acid jazz, some martini minded lounge music, some modish power pop and youre mod world will right itself no matter what state it's in.
Check it out, and leave me a comment and let me know what you think.
This week on Mr. Suave's Mod Mod World you will be getting a blast of new tracks from Chris Richards, Beatnic Prestige and Maximo Park. You'll also get treated to some acid jazz Mother Earth, power pop from Bronco Bullfrog and even gospel punk from Mercy Seat. Check out the modcast homepage at mistersuave.com for al the juicy details and some cool bonus videos.
Once more into the vault my friends, once more into the vault. Step back in time, to a time when the modcast was young and fresh. Take a giant step outside your current listening constraints and journey with me all the way back to the fun filled days of summer 2006. I've opened up the vaults and dusted off a classic modcast that I think you'll enjoy. Again.
This week it looks like it's Myspace that has become the Mod Mod World. The site is bursting with cool mod, garage, power pop and punk bands. So, I decided to single out some of the best ones and highlight them on this week's Modcast. Head over to the modcast homepage at mistersuave.com for track listing and info. Hope you enjoy!
Welcome to Mr. Suave's Mod Mod World. This week's opener is from The Che Men doing their cover of The Jetset's "Wednesday Girl" and comes from the brand new Jetset tribute album out from Wham Records called Do You Wanna Be In The Show. Besides the Che Men it features 17 other mod groups like The Risk, The Eddies, The Ringles, Mega Super Ultra and tons more all covering Jetset songs. Like the Squire tribute album they put out last year, this one has some really nice covers paying homage to the band, and like with The Che Men who infuse a ska vibe into their version of "Wednesday Girl" there are a few tracks that reinterpret the originals as well. All in all a real nice collection for Jetset fans.
Besides that I've got loads of new stuff here from some usual suspects like The Fantastics and Madness, and from some new faces like The Ladders and Tommy Atkins. So, head over to the modcast homepage, ou won't be disappointed.
Welcome to Mr. Suave’s Mod Mod World. This is a special episode of the modcast, the second in a series I call Mod Essentials. The first one, Mod Essentials: In The Beginning premiered last summer and featured my take on the most essential mod tracks of the 1960s. As you can imagine it was hardly definitive. And this one likely won’t be either . This is Mod Essentials II: The Revival. You will see that while there are some fantastic songs here, there are a number of key artists missing like The Crooks, Squire, The Amber Squad, Long Tall Shorty, The Cigarettes and lots more.
From 1977 to 1981 mod was reborn in the UK, which sparked mod revivals around the world. For a few glorious years the energy and angst of punk was wed to the rhythm of soul, the pulse of power pop, and the fashions of the sixties. The Who release Quadropheniaat the height of the revival creating even more interest in all things mod. Inevitably the mod scene became overexposed, it went mainstream briefly, and that more than anything else killed it and drove the remaining mods back to their soul clubs to await the movements next revival -- still more than a decade away.
Here then are the songs that I think epitomize the wide range of sounds in the mod revival. So, what are your essential mod revival tracks? I'm dying to find out from people what they see as the quintessential mod revival sound. Leave a comment and let me know what you think of my list here, what you would have added, or what you would have scrapped. Don't be shy.
Welcome to the flight, your pilot this week is the indisputable king of the guest DeeJays, Ken from The Shingles. Be sure to put your seat in its fully reclined condition, top off your libation and loosen your seat belt because Cap'n Ken's back again with a rock'em, sock'em lineup of mod tunes. Your inflight entertainment will include brand new tracks by Tinted Windows(note to Taylor Hanson, Rick Springfield called and he wants his look back) and Madness, as well as recent goodies from Boss Martians, The Major Labels, Muck & The Mires, and more. Happy landings.
Welcome to Mr. Suave's Mod Mod World. This week it comes from California, the it being some great mod bands down through the years. California has always been the nation's defacto leader for the mod scene. Not that there aren't great scenes and bands from around the country, but in California you have three scenes in San Francisco, Los Angeles/Orange County, and San Diego, and each has its own distinct personality -- which you'll get a taste of on this show. Some new mod bands like The Parties and The New Fidelity, some mod legends like The Odd Numbers, The Pandoras and Manual Scan, and some lesser known mod bands like The Idea and The New Breed.
Head over to the modcast homepage for the complete track listing, links to band websites and bonus videos from The Parties and Manual Scan.
Once more into the vault my friends, once more into the vault. Step back in time, to a time when the modcast was young and fresh. Take a giant step outside your current listening constraints and journey with me all the way back to the cool cool days of September 2007. I've opened up the vaults and dusted off a classic modcast that I think you'll enjoy. Again.
You better you bet believe that you are in mod company this week dear listeners. This show runs the gamut of mod friendly tracks from the acid-jazz sounds of The Bongolian to the mod revival classics of The Cigarettes to the garage rock of Beat By Five. You will be dancing, pogoing or snapping fingers (just don't tap your feet in the stall next to mine) at some point during this modcast, I guarantee it. Head on over to the modcast homepage and get your listen on.
Welcome to modcast #122 and welcome to the Moscow Underground a brand new London mod band on this week's show. They've got a really cool, really heavy mod sound, as does the rest of the show. There's more new stuff as well from Supernova, Morrissey, and the Takeover UK, some garage rock from Los Immediatos and Magic Christian, as well as some Britpop from the likes of Blur and Sleeper. Be sure to head over to the modcast homepage at www.mistersuave.com for a complete track listing, band links, and videos from Los Immediatos, Blur, and others.
Once more into the vault my friends, once more into the vault. Step back in time, to a time when the modcast was young and fresh. Take a giant step outside your current listening constraints and journey with me all the way back to the cool cool days of January 2007. I've opened up the vaults and dusted off a classic modcast that I think you'll enjoy. Again.
Welcome to Mr. Suave's Mod Mod World. The modcast has tons of cool sounds coming your way this week from Scottish bands to American bands to Finnish bands organized by Americans and everying thing in between like The Lambrettas, The Svengalis, The Tunes, The Thanes, The Goldbergs and much more. So, put on your headphones and crank up the volume because it's time to mod out.
Welcome to Mr. Suave's Mod Mod World. I do love 1975 -- that would be the title track on the new album from modsters Fay Hallam Trinity, featuring the pure gold soul vocals of Ms. Fay Hallam, the mod diva from Makin' Time and the Prime Movers. Got more new mod songs for you including some tweeful soul (or maybe it's soulful twee) from Pow Wow; heavy soul from Stone Foundation; cool sixties sounding garage pop from The Higher State; and straight ahead pure power pop from Choo Choo. Last but not least I've got a demo track from Green Day, off of their forthcoming album "21st Century Breakdown". What more could you ask for?
Welcome to Mr. Suave's Mod Mod World, with a new track or two -- at least new to us on this side of the pond. Such as Q, with Through Your Eyes, from their new release on Time For Action records. Got lots of fresh new mod sounds this week even above and beyond Q, even a few golden oldies that are sure to make gettin through the day just a bit better. Enjoy!
This week on the modcast you can get lost with some swingin' suave songs of yesteryear, as well as some smooth, cocktail tracks right out of the the now sound of the lounge music revival. Welcome to Mr. Suave's swingin' cocktail lounge. Step up to the bar, place your order and prepare to be charmed by some of the swinginest singers to ever accompany a martini. From Bobby Troup to Last of the International Playboys, from the Chairman of the board to Mel Torme, it's a loungarific modcast. Be sure to head over to the modcast homepage at www.mistersuave.com and check out a whole slew of bonus videos.
Now's your chance to swing with Mr. Suave. Set up the cocktail shakers and make sure you've enough ice to cool things down properly. Then take off on a wild ride through some super cool, exotic and effervescent sounds of the cocktail kind. These are soul songs, made to get your feet movin and your backside shakin along with your cocktail. From Mel Henke to Burt Bacharach, from Combustible Edison to 101 Strings, it's all hear for you to love. What to do now? Go. Go. Go for mod groovy.
Mr. Suave's Mod Mod World It's all smack and tackle thanks to this being Superbowl weekend. The food is great, but I'm not one for the game myself. I'd much rather sitdown and listen to some great garage rock, or some swingin' lounge music. Or, I could mix up a modcast of epic proportions.
Flashback to 1984, and to 1967, and to 1978, and even just back to '02. Flashbacks are great aren't they? So are the tracks on this week's modcast. Okay, maybe not epic, but pretty damn good none the less. Got a couple of new things to serve up for you: some power pop from The Wishes, and some very excellent mod R&B courtesy of Invisible Lead Soup. And there's a few nice gems here that I blew the dust off of which I think you'll dig from The Standells, the Sidewalks and not the least of which is a great little song from power pop composer Gary Valentine who, sadly, has never received the accolades he's due.
Get thee over to the modcast homepage and check out the show, as well as the bonus videos and other goodies!
This is Modcast #116 for those of you keeping count. Covering a lot of ground this week from the mod revival sound of the Killermeters and Wardens, to the psychadelic garage rock of Plan 9 and The United States of Existence to the power pop pogoing of Elton Motello and the Britpop --by way of Borlänge, Sweden-- of Mando Diao. What's not to like? Be sure to check out the modcast homepage at mistersuave.com.
Once more into the vault my friends, once more into the vault. Step back in time, to a time when the modcast was young and fresh. Take a giant step outside your current listening constraints and journey with me all the way back to 2006. I've opened up the vaults and dusted off a classic modcast that I think you'll enjoy. Again.
This is episode #46 of the web's original modcast and with it comes a bit of everything. I particular like the soul songs up front, even though Explosion In Your Soul is nearly a complete rip off of the Soul Survivor's first big hit, Expressway to Your Heart. And the mod-ska tunes in the middle are pretty interesting with one from the Untouchables that most don't remember, and one from a band most mods never heard of, the U.S. Mods. So, I hope you'll enjoy this particular episode as much as I did putting it together.
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As always head on over to Mr. Suave's Mod Mod World for track listings and bonus videos.
Maybe I should dub this modcast the angry edition. Angry because I lost about half a terabyte of digital music recently, and I'm still not done complaining about it. Needless to say some of the songs here might reflect my slightly agitated state of mind. To get a good grasp of what that's like, you can sit down and spin up the Leaving Train's excellent LP Kill Tunes. Got some other killer tunes in this show as well, including rarites from Klark Kent and The Stepmothers, and brand new tracks from The Lashes and The Dukes Jetty. Head on over to the modcast homepage for videos from Klark Kent and Eleanor Rigby. Enjoy.
Welcome to Mr. Suave's Mod Mod World. This is the 113th modcast, and the first of 2009. Here's hoping that this year will be better than last year. Not that last year was all that bad but it did end on a rotten, stinking, rancid note for your humble host who had a computer catastrohe and lost tons of archived digital music. Even my backups were blasted away. Thus far, my new year has been spent trying to put the pieces back together enough to get a new modcast mixed up.
And, here it is complete with a brand new track from Spearmint front man Shirley Lee's forthcoming album, some soulful tracks from Lefties Soul Convention, some power pop from Lacrosse, some sixties psychadelia from Five by Five, and a few other goodies. So, crank up your mod listening device and enjoy the tunes.
Here's an icy cool blast from the past. This was the 2007 modcast, so you can enjoy it all over again! Everything from Otis Redding to Arrah and the Ferns, and High Elevations and Eux Autres to the Staple Singers.
The temperatures in Seattle have dipped uncomfortably low so that must mean it's about Christmas time. So, here is my annual foray into holiday shenanigans. This year's modcast has all the elements of a classic -- old and new, power pop and punk rock, garage and indie faves, traditional --and not so traditional-- holiday cheer. Everything from The Wombats to the The Yobs, and some interesting stuff inbetween from The Andersons, Young Fresh Fellows, The Shambles, Girl Trouble, The Wondermints and more.
If you've not gotten clued in to my 12 Days of Christmas Videos over at the modcast homepage, then you need to start paying attention! We're on Day 5 and already been treated to The Ramones, The Monkees and Bob Rivers Twisted Christmas Carols. So, get on over there and keep checkintg back each day before Christmas.
There are some cool, some funny, some interesting Christmas related videos out there, so I thought I'd start highlighting a few of my favorites on the modcast homepage.On each of the next 12 days leading up to Christmas Eve I'm going to highlight a different video. Enjoy.
Okay, I'm going to start with something funny. It is after all a time to be full of good cheer. By now everyone has probably heard a few of radio DJ Bob Rivers' Twisted Christmas Carols. Rivers is the Weird Al of Christmas, a sort of Matt Stone & Trey Parker for the holidays. His first foray into holiday shenanigans was in the 80s when he released his first Christmas parody CD. On the backs of such songs as "Wreck the Malls," "Wish You Weren't Living With Us," and "The Twelve Pains of Christmas" he shockingly racked up over a million sales. Since then he's produced four more parody CDs with lots of classic comedy like "I Am Santa Claus" (to the tune of Iron Man), "It's the Most Fattening Time of the Year", "There's A Santa Who Looks A Lot Like Elvis," and the classic "Walkin' 'Round in Women's Underwear." To get my 12 Days of Christmas Videos kicked off I thought it only appropriate to go back to Bob's beginnings. And let's be honest, this pretty much sums up how Christmas actually is.
Be sure to check back at mistersuave.com each day for a new Christmas video.
Welcome to Mr. Suave's Mod Mod World. 2008 has seen a ton of cool music released, so this week I'm highlight a bunch of brand new stuff. Hopefully you will discover something new to you.
Head over to the modcast homepage for a complete track listing, bonus videos from Parove Stellar, Julie Ocean and more.
Questions? Requests? Are you in a mod band? Were you in a band a way back when? Spread the love and send me some MP3s and I'll work them into a future show. E-mail me at mailto:rob@mistersauve.com.
It is cold here in Seattle, and winter is on it's way. So, to take your mind off all that and focus it on something warmer and sunnier let's go once more into the vault my friends, once more into the vault. Step back in time, to a time when the modcast was young and fresh. Step back to summer 2007. I've opened up the vaults and dusted off a classic modcast that I think you'll enjoy. Again.
Summer will be officially kicking off this week so I've got a bunch of ... what do you think? Wrong! It's not a bunch of songs with summer in the title. Instead, I'm doing songs that remind me of summer, ar least of summer sun and warmth. You're going to hear a bunch of warm, sugary, summery, pop music that might or might not be twee, but certainly has a bit of the sixties and a bit of power pop going for it. So, enjoy this first episode of songs that benfit from the warmth of the sun. There's a second episode coming soon.
Welcome to the modcast, this week with more and better stuff than usual including Ray Charles, Locksley, Graham Coxon, and The Dukes of Stratosphear. While you are listening to this I am reclining on the lido deck of the good ship Elation, somewhere off the coast of Baja. I don't need no doctor, that's for sure.
Head over to the modcast homepage for a complete track listing, bonus videos from Graham Coxon and Locksley.
Questions? Requests? Are you in a mod band? Were you in a band a way back when? Spread the love and send me some MP3s and I'll work them into a future show. E-mail me at mailto:rob@mistersauve.com.
Welcome to Mr. Suave's Mod Mod World. It's with mixed feelings that I've opened the show with a track from the new Kaiser Chiefs album. That would be Good Days Bad Days from their new album Off With Their Heads. Interestingly this album garnered the Chiefs much critical acclaim, especially in the US, and rose to #2 in the UK. And I think its because it is the least mod friendly of their releases to date. It's a fine album, but it is light years from being as good as either Employment or Yours Truly Angry Mob. Less of the band's power pop influences are showcased, instead at the forefront is more of a post-punk vibe. Not a bad listen, but not as power pop incluenced as were their earlier works. Now, listen to the rest of the show and you will be rewarded. Ten fold. It's a treasure trove of great tracks.
Head over to the modcast homepage for a complete track listing, bonus videos from the Untold Fables, The Lodger and more.
Questions? Requests? Are you in a mod band? Were you in a band a way back when? Spread the love and send me some MP3s and I'll work them into a future show. E-mail me at mailto:rob@mistersauve.com.
Welcome to Mr. Suave's Mod Mod World, have I got a treat for you (and you thought Halloween was over and there were no more treats!). Actually two treats: a couple of live tracks I bagged last week at The Sonics appearance at the Paramount in Seattle on Halloween night. Known as the boom heard 'round the world, the band was booming all right.
It was the legendary garage rockers first show in their native Northwest in 35 years. Still, they didn't miss a beat pounding out 90 minutes of original, blistering, garage punk.
This past summer the band tuned up their garage chops at venues about Europe, and it helped. They tore the lid off the house with a pretty great show. Little Steven Van Zandt was there and introduced the band, and a slew of Seattle music celebs were on hand from Mark Arn of Mudhoney to the Ventures to Krist Novoselic. Of course, Seattle bands that don't pay homage to The Sonics in some way shape or form don't last long.
The rest of the show does pay homage -- with lots of Sonics influenced, ballsy, sixties sounding, trash punk. Another Northwest garage group, Girltrouble, opened the show, so of course I've got them in this show as well -- and on the modcast homepage I've got their fantastic tribute video to Tacoma -- My Hometown. These guys (and girl) have been playing for 25 years and in these parts are nearly as legendary as The Sonics themselves. The rest of this show is loud and fast with the likes of the Standells, Mooney Suzuki, The Fuzztones and more. So turn up your computer speakers, your iPod, your stereo or whatever and enjoy.
Head over to the modcast homepage for a complete track listing, bonus videos from Girl Trouble and Naz Nomad, and more.
Questions? Requests? Are you in a mod band? Were you in a band a way back when? Spread the love and send me some MP3s and I'll work them into a future show. E-mail me at mailto:rob@mistersauve.com.
Be afraid, be very afraid. Ken from The Shingles is at the controls of the this week's suave modcast and if that doesn't scare you, nothing will. Get haunted by the likes of Me First and the Gimme, Gimmes; The Damned; The Kinks; the Ghastly Ones; The Dead 60s; Swamp Zombies; Gene "Bowlegs" Miller and a whole hell of a lot more ghoulish goodies.
Welcome to Mr. Suave's Mod Mod World. It's a good day indeed when you can say that Stereolab is back, and back with a pop passion that they haven't had for some time. I saw them on Friday night here in Seattle, the first time I've ever seen the band live.
Absolutley incredible show, incredible because for me it was like seeing a totally different band. I went in knowing full-well of the band's eclectic past. Their sound over the years has twisted around like a tornado throwing out bits of space age bachelor pad music, bossa nova enahnced electronica, sweet sixties lounge, and synthesized soul. I expected a more cerebral show. But I was greeted with a band driven by a drummer setting an insane pace and what at times was as hard and rocking as any punk show I've ever seen. The songs were the same, the intensity was dialed up, and there was a very clear rock and roll core there that doesn't always show up on their albums. It was delightful. All that to say that this week's modcast opens with a track from Stereolabs new release, runs on along and closes with another new release from London's Supernovas, a band that is on a self-proclaimed mission to trigger a new mod revival. It's a good show that I think you'll enjoy.
Head over to the modcast homepage for a complete track listing, bonus videos from The Groovy Cellar, The Supernovas and more.
Questions? Requests? Are you in a mod band? Were you in a band a way back when? Spread the love and send me some MP3s and I'll work them into a future show. E-mail me at mailto:rob@mistersauve.com.
What a week. If you're a financier you've been on a wild ride. And if you're not, well you've probably been watching it all from the comfort of your couch -- if you still have one.
Suddenly there is lots of cool new music flooding the markets, the scene is topsy turvy with recent and still to come releases. Next week alone will see a brand new album from Oasis, as well as new mod jazz outfit Trio Valore Inc. And you are going to your first little taste of both on this week's modcast. Also on tap this week is new stuff from Raphael Saadiq, the Private Jets, Brazillian sensation Ari Borger, and Secret Beauty Cream. So as not to overdose on the new drugs, I dug through the suave music vault and have dusted off some old faves from the likes of The Unclaimed and the Goldstars. You can check out some cool bonus videos on the modcast homepage at www.mistersuave.com from Ari Borger and Trio Valore.
No doubt, the wildness isn't over. So, buckleup kids because I'm going to take you on your own wild ride right now.
Welcome to Mr. Suave's Mod Mod World. What a time it's been gettin' the latest show produced and broadcast. I've been having weird technical problems that just cropped up recently. Problems that make the show sound amateurish and not at all polished. So, picked up a new mic and mini-mixer specifically for podcasting, and dammit all if I can't get it to work with my system. All to say that I hope this show is listenable because the music surely is. This week's show is a little longer than usual but it's worth it. Got a great big strong soul vibe going. With the new soul revival in full swing it seems there's always new --and old-- stuff to discover and enjoy. Got a great live track from JTQ, some new stuff from the Upper 5th and Buttonup among other things. One especially nice treat here is the new track by Adrian Holder, former front man for The Moment. He's putting together a new album and if it's anything like what you can get a taste of on his Myspace page then it will be one hell of a release.
Head over to the modcast homepage for the complete track listing and bonus videos from Lucky Soul and The New Mastersounds.
Once more into the vault my friends, once more into the vault. Step back in time, to a time when the modcast was young and fresh. Step back to October of '06. I've opened up the vaults and dusted off a classic modcast that I think you'll enjoy. Again.
Welcome to episode #23 of Mr. Suave's Mod Mod World. This week I've got The Friday Club, Elastica, Too Many Crooks and Raymond Lefever and His Orchestra among others. This week's mod lineage starts with Blondie, to Elastica to The Sounds. And if you don't know The Sounds, then track down their albums. They're a Swedish rock act that pretty much recreates the look and feel, if not exactly the sound, of Blondie, right down to their platinum blonde lead singer.
Head over to the modcast homepage for track listing, bonus videos from The Sounds & Blondie, and more.
Welcome to the modcast. Here in the states the Labor Day weekend signifies the end of summer; the final three-day holiday that will be spent working around the house; the last of summer vacations; and a return to work-a-day and school schedules. That means me gettin' back to regularly producing the modcast.
Putting the show together proved to be harder than usual. I had a roster of songs to play but wasn't feeling it. I tossed 'em out and put together a completely new show. It was an excellent decision, and resulted in an excellent set of songs as I'm sure you'll agree. This week's show is packed with great music - as usual. You'll get a taste of new sounds from The Anydays and Andre Williams, as well as some older stuff from the Shambles, Yard Trauma, and more.
Questions? Requests? Are you in a mod band? Were you in a band a way back when? Spread the love and send me some MP3s and I'll work them into a future show. E-mail me at rob@mistersauve.com.
Welcome to the modcast. Gotta little bit of soul, a little bit of pop, and a whole lot of rock and roll. Mods look ready, ready to hear some great music from mods like Graham Day, Fay Hallam, Paul Bevoir and more. What are you waitin' for ... listen now.
Are you in a mod band? Were you in a band a way back when? Spread the love and send me some MP3s and I'll work them into a future show. You can e-mail me at rob@mistersuave.com.
As usual you can hit the homepage at www.mistersuave.com to get a complete track listing for this show, links to band sites, bonus videos and more.
Welcome to Mr. Suave's Mod Mod World. I'm back from vacation and have compiled a special episode of the modcast. This the first in a series called Mod Essentials -- fittingly this one is In The Beginning.
Recently a friend --we'll call him Minnesota Mark -- asked me what mod is. More than that, he asked if I could put together a short playlist of the best mod songs. And you know, I was blown away by how difficult a task that turned out to be. I found that you can't narrow down to a dozen or so the most quintessential mod songs. Not to mention it's a totally subjective thing. What I think of as quintessential mod songs will be much different than another mod's picks. And what is quintessential anyhow? Again it's pretty subjective. I think I would define the quintessential mod songs as the songs that made me a mod early on -- mostly these were the songs that I simply loved that were already considered mod songs. As I thought about it though, I realized that quintessential mod songs are also those that when I hear them they make me think mod, they make me think of the mod sound and what it means to be a mod. They need not be original quote unquote mod songs.
Anyhow, Minnesota Mark's question got me to thinking: I bet there are a lot of people who'd be interested in hearing what I think are the most quintessential mod songs. At least I hope so. So, I'm going to do a periodic series of modcasts picking the dozen or so most essential mod sounds -- each time corresponding with a specific genre unique to mods, or a specific mod era. For this modcast I'm starting where you should start, at the beginning, in the sixties. Thank you to Mark for asking the question of what a mod is and what mod music sounds like and getting this ball rolling. For the early mods it really all started rolling with the soul sound. I could go back to the jazz roots of mod -- the modernists, but this modcast is only supposed be a thirty minute affair and we're already going to blow that out of the water. So, let's jump up to the modernists' next gen children; the first 'mods' as it were and their love affair with all things soulful. all things bluesy, all things dancable. This podcast just barely skims the surface of what the sixties mod sound was like, but at least it's a start. Mod on!
Welcome to the 100th modcast of Mr. Suave's ModMod World. This is a special episode of the modcast with some of the best stuff I've ever shared with you all. In honor of busting out 100 modcasts over the last two years I'm celebrating with an ice cold martini (or three) and as usual, some fantastic music. I've got lots of cool stuff on this show including The Men, Manfred Mann, The Jam and The Jetset. But, if you're like me and you love The Style Council, and you dig Burt Bacharach and James Taylor Quartet, then I guarantee you will love hearing the brand new title track from Rinaldi Sings' new album Bingo (available Aug. 4 from Tangerine Records).
And, if you head on over to the modcast homepage at mistersuave.com you will get two fabulous bonus videos, one from Rinaldi Sings, a rare track you won't see anywhere else of The Funseekers live at the Mods Mayday '89 show. (If you're interested in more Funseekers check out their 4-part movie at Youtube "A Northwoods Holiday")
Okay, got questions? Wanna just give me a shout out, well then you can e-mail me at rob@mistersuave.com, and if you're more of the web 2.0 type then you can check out Mr. Suave on Facebook or Myspace and friend up with me.
Now: a heads up for you all. I'm going to have another very special modcast next week, Mod Essentials: In the Beginning. Recently a friend asked me what mod is and if I could put together a short playlist of the most quintessential, foundational, mod songs. And you know, I was blown away by how hard it was. I found that ou can't narrow down to a dozen or so the most quintessential mod songs. Not to mention it's a totally subjective thing. What I think of as quintessential mod songs will be much different than another mod's picks. And what is quintessential, again it's pretty subjective. Early I, I think I would define it as the songs that made me a mod early on, the songs that I simply loved that were already considered mod songs. Later, I would say that it is songs that when I hear them they make me think mod, they make me think of the mod sound and what it means to be a mod. Anyhow, the question got me to thinking: I bet there a lot of people who'd be interested in hearing what I think are the most essential mod songs. So, I'm going to do a periodic series of modcasts picking the dozen or so most essential mod sounds each time, corresponding with a specific genre unique to mods, or a specific mod era. Next week I'm starting where you should start, at the beginning, in the sixties. Thank you to Mark for asking the question of what a mod is and what mod music sounds like and getting this ball rolling.
Finally, I want to thank all my listeners for the past two years and 100 modcasts. Especially, a big thank you to Ken from The Shingles, as well as shout outs to other supporters who help make this show rock and roll -- like Dean from The Eddies, Steve Rinaldi of Rinaldi Sings, Mike Tholefsen, and the lovely Mrs. Suave -- can't wait for you to get home because Baby, You've Got It.
Once more into the vault my friends, once more into the vault. Step back in time, to a time when the modcast was young and fresh. Step back to December of '06. I've opened up the vaults and dusted off a classic modcast that I think you'll enjoy. Again.
This is modcast 31 and I'm finally getting around to presenting what I think are the essential tracks for the modern mod's music library. These bands represent the latest wave of mod music reflecting sixties R&B, power-pop and soul influences.
Word is spreading of a very wild weekend coming up soon. The official Wild Weekend in fact, the Wild Weekend Power Pop Festival in Austin, TX on August 29th and 30th. Just to be clear I am (unfortunately) not getting a dime, nor a nickel nor a penny, nor anything else, for plugging this gig. It's just an effing fantastic lineup of power pop bands new and old. One that, if I wasn't poor, and old and lame, I would damn sure be getting my ass down to Texas for. You can get your ass over here to find out how to get tickets.
The line up is pretty spectacular with some legends of the genre coming together for the show: The Boys, The Pointed Sticks, 20/20 and Nikki Corvette to name a few. Nikki has even recorded some new material in the last year or two. The others have played some limited reunions, but these will be the first, or the most prominent, of such shows in the US for most of these guys. And it's about time. Thankfully, to keep the dinosaurs in line, there are a few new kids on the block doing their best to give punk rock a solid power pop public send up: The Baby Shakes, the Cute Lepers (maybe my fave of the whole shebang), and The Pleasure Kills. All in all this might be the best festival line up of the summer. How could I not give you a taste of that?
Welcome to Mr. Suave's Mod Mod World. I'm opening the show with some solid soul with style from the heartland, from the brand new release by the Diplomats of Solid Sound - for the first time featuring the Diplomettes. The new CD --which will be released July 8th-- simply sizzles with soul and wicked good R&B. Check out a video of the band doing "Hurt Me So" on the modcast homepage at mistersuave.com. I've also got another brand new track from the Modfather hisself, along with some French mod sounds, and some great sixties psychadelia.
Welcome to Mr. Suave's Mod Mod World. It is hot hot hot here in the pacific northwest. After almost no spring to speak of, seattle is finally jumping feet first into summer. So, I've happily put together a show that plays well in any climate, but especially seems suited for the summer sun we're enjoying here right about now. From pop to mod with a few stops in between this modcast is going to quickly become one of your favorites. You've got the trad mod sounds of the Bishops, some acid jazz goodnes from Mother Earth, and serious sixties vibes from The Monks, Boyce & Heart and The Free Design. Tune in, turn on and enjoy yourself.
Once more into the vault my friends, once more into the vault. Step back in time, to a time when the modcast was young and fresh. Step back to the Fall of '06. I've opened up the vaults and dusted off a classic modcast that I think you'll enjoy. Again.
Welcome to episode #24 of Mr. Suave's Mod Mod World. This week, you will be treated to some most excellent tracks ranging from mod, to soul, to rock and even some late sixties ska. And, there's a great Swing Out Sister video too. What more could you possibly want from a podcast?
Welcome to Mr. Suave's Mod Mod World. You know what's good about this world? It's good when local boys make good. That's what the lead off band of this modcast --The Blakes-- have done, made good. Since I'm in Seattle and they're from here, that make's 'em local to me. This particular modcast is jam packed with very listenable songs. Got something new from Sloan, something cool from the Kaiser Chiefs, something very mod from the Len Price 3 and something obscure from 50,000,000 Elvis Fans Can't be Wrong. Also you can check out a couple of bonus videos from Sloan and The Blakes on the Mr. Suave's Mod Mod Worldmodcast homepage. So get ready to have a blast.
Welcome to Mr. Suave's Mod Mod World, I've got some new stuff from the Jimmy Lingon Band, The Chalets and Fobxoro Hottubs this week, as well as some sixties psychadelia from the Riot Squad, sixties beat sounds from The Remains, and sixties sounding garage rock from Thee Fourgiven. If you want to catch a couple of cool videos hit the modcast homepage at mistersuave.com and check out The Jimmy Lingon Band lookin and sounding a whole lot like the Yardbirds, and a great clip of Tres Bien that includes several of their TV appearances as well as some interview clips.
So, I'm creeping up on having produced a hundred modcasts. I'd like to hear from any of you about what some of your favorite shows of the past were, or if you're in a band and would like to hear your stuff on the show, or if you have any other comments feel free to e-mail me at Send to Friends
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Once more into the vault my friends, once more into the vault.
Step back in time, to a time when the modcast was young and fresh. Step back to end of the summer of '06. I've opened up the vaults and dusted off a classic modcast that I think you'll enjoy. Again.
This week's episode is features even more power pop songs, and this time around I've got some classics, as well as some more obscure tracks and some harder edged songs.
In listening, listening and relistening to this week’s Modcast, I have to say I’ve even impressed myself. This is a damn good show. It starts out strong, and it stays that way throughout. Lots of new stuff here from the Baskervilles, Looker, Radio Days, and The Fores, all of which make the show downright unstoppable. The rest of the show is only that much stronger for showing it’s staying power from the likes of The Kinks to Oasis. This is just a little snap shot of my current mod world. Don’t be so jealous, I’m sure you’re nearly as suave in your own way.
Be sure to head on over to the homepage at mistersuave.com and check out this week's bonus videos from Looker and The Kinks. Enjoy.
Welcome to Mr. Suave's Mod Mod World. Got some new stuff to share this week, including the brand new single from Paul Weller, joined by Noel gallagher. It's a psych rocker, lots of fuzziness, lots of noise, but eventually it evens out. Weller's never shied away from production values, but this one might be a bit overdone for my taste. Still, amongst all the noise and atmosphere there are some good hooks. His full album is due out in June, so you've got that to look forward. The rest of the show is just as strong with new stuff from the Stabilisers and tracks from the A-Lines, The Ammonites, John Mayall, Ian McClagan and Etta James just to name a few. Enjoy.
Welcome to Mr. Suave's Mod Mod World, Kicking this show off is the brand new single Supernatural Supercilious from REM. I'm not a big REM fan, but in 1984 they were breaking new ground in power pop to be sure, and here there are 25 or so years later pounding a really great song, one of the best they've produced a really long time. Got some great stuff for you on this week's including, The Frowning Clouds, The Charms, The Standells, The Expressos, and a little something from the very earliest days in REM's existence. Be sure to check out the modcast homepage for this week's bonus videos from The Charms and The Nice.
Welcome to Mr. Suave's Mod Mod World, and do I have a big treat for you all this week. Mike Tholfsen is guest hosting and he's a got a great line up for you. Head on over to Mr. Suave's Mod Mod World and get a taste of The Posies, Tahiti 80, The Legends, Super Deluxe and more. Enjoy, people, enjoy.
Welcome to Mr. Suave’s Mod Mod World. First off a big thank you to Ken from the Shingles for holding down the fort last week with a great show. So great I had to dig up a Motown cover of the fab four to try and compete. And, I've got a few other covers including one by The Eddies from their brand new disk Twice Around the World, which is garnering some rave reviews -- not bad considering it's all covers.
Lots of other good reasons to listen in like The Dickies, The Terrorways, 20/20 and The Hawaiians, plus bonus videos at the modcast homepage at mistersuave.com. Why are you waiting? Click here now, you know you wanna.
Step back in time, to a time when the modcast was young and fresh. Step back to July of '06. I've opened up the vaults and dusted off a classic modcast that I think you'll enjoy. Again.
I've picked out some good tracks for you this week, if I do say so myself. A little something for everyone -- some old stuff, some new stuff, some rock, some soul, some very mod, and some only reminiscent.
Head over to the modcast homepage and check out the track listing, as well as a classic Count Five video.
Welcome to Mr. Suave’s Mod Mod World, and it’s a good, good world this week indeed with the latest release from one of my fave Britpop bands The Charlatans. I had to get that Charlatans track in there in order to let you know about the free Charlatan’s album available for download at Xfm. You can grab the whole thing right now, right here.
But I digress. In truth the rest of the modcast is a bit out of step with that opening. It’s got cool, groovy sounds beginning to end. Anyhow, I recommend you grab yourself a libation, sit back, relax and enjoy some cool swingin’ sounds. It’s time you were Rockin’ with this Mod.
The Charlatans – You Cross My Path
Michael Brown & Friends – Rockin’ with the Mods
Earl Grant – House of Bamboo
Mel Torme – Sunshine Superman
The Mel-Tones – Quick Pick
The Omega Men – Cat Robot
Stereophonic Space Sound Unlimited – Grid Girls ‘68
Welcome to Mr. Suave’s Mod Mod World, episode #86 in which we have a few interesting connections. Opening act Elton Motello frontman Alan Ward had once been in another band with future Damned member Bryan James, so maybe it’s no surprise that both bands produced great punk rock. Another connection made in the show is between more 70s Brit punks, this time the move from Chelsea to Generation X. Lots of pitch perfect power pop in this week’s show up from the likes of Martha & the Muffins, Clive Culbertson, The Briliant Corners, Fast Eddie and more. And if you head on over to the modcast homepage you can check out this week’s bonus video from Beulah. Thanks for listening.
Welcome to Mr. Suave’s cold, cold world. Cold, brrrr, because I spent this past week in the freezing cold, the subzero, completely ungodly temperatures of snowy Minnesota. I thought for sure that I’d have all the time in the world to work on the modcast – I mean what the hell else do you do when it’s below zero? And way, way, way, below zero with the wind chill. Surprisingly, I had a full schedule of relaxing, drinking martinis, sleeping, drinking martinis, relaxing, drinking martinis, and visiting with the family. Oh yeah, and drinking martinis. Gotta keep warm somehow. No matter, the songs on this week’s show are hot, hot, hot. We’ve got mod, mod and more mod. From The Crooks and The Lambrettas to Manual Scan and The Vertabrats, it’s all good. Welcome to modcast #85. Enjoy.
Welcome to Welcome to Mr. Suave's Mod Mod World. It is Valentine's Day after all, so here's the requisite lovers package. A valentine of sorts from Mr. Suave to Mrs. Suave. These are songs that in some case date back to our original courtship when I had to woo Mrs. Suave with all of my charms, just to get her to have dinner with me. And, some of the songs are more recent, proving that being in love never goes out of style. So, without further ado here is the Valentine's edition of the modcast.
But, that's not all. Download now and you can include these six delicious tracks into whatever mix you want. All are songs that should have, could have, would have made the modcast, time and bandwidth permitting No matter, they're yours for the taking right now.
This week's bonus video is one I put together myself. A montage of suave shots of the queen of cool herself, Mrs. Suave.
Welcome to Mr. Suave's Mod Mod World. Lots of really great stuff on this week's show from beginning to end. The opening track from the Undertones is nothing short of terrific -- a song that does justice the band's original sound and could have easily been penned and played in 1980. And, all that without the distinctive vocals of original front man Feargal Sharkey. It's rare for an aging band to reform and produce good new material, and almost unheard for them to do so with a new singer. But, the Undertones deliver in aces. Other standouts here include new material from The Cynics, The Svengalis, The Gurus and Joe Jackson who is back in top shape also with a track that could have fallen out of his back catalog circa the Look Sharp era. This week's bonus videos are delightful tracks from Dolly MIxture and Graham Coxon. So head over to the modcast homepage at mistersuave.com and check out the track listing, videos, band links and more. Enjoy kids.
Welcome to Mr. Suave's Mod Mod World. This week it's a ska world indeed. I've got here a bunch of bands that know a thing or two about skanking. For instance,what better way to open a show that focuses on ska, than to do so with a band that isn't a ska band, but sure as hell loves the music? I open with Border Ska by Camper Van Beethoven. Camper Van was probably the band that the terms alternative and indie were created to define, and a big part of their sound was combining ska with punk and straight ahead rock and roll. So tune in and check out Dr. Ring Ding, Los Fastidios, Inspecter 7, and The Toasters.
Be sure to head over to the modcast homepage for more, and to check out some cool ska videos.
It's only fitting that the opening to this week's show is from the soundtrack to Quadrophenia, that's The Who's Get Out and Stay Out which was one of three songs Pete Townsend penned specifically for the 1979 movie version of Quadrophenia. Fitting because as it turns out, this week's modcast has some sixties floor shakersas well as a whole lot of modish british punk from the same '79 era as the film.
Welcome to Mr. Suave's Mod Mod World. Today's show is the first of the new year and pretty much covers all the bases, from mod gods The Jam to others bands like Game Theory, Airship, Cream and even The Beastie Boys. (That's right, The Beastie Boys.) So, don't waste any time. Jump right in, the listenin' is good.
I recently tossed up a post about the Martini Mood complete with a basic martini recipe.
Now I've got some lounge music recommendations over at www.mistersuave.com for your sipping pleasure. These are reviews that I originally wrote for Mr. Suave's Swingin' Cocktail Lounge about a decade or so ago, at the birth of the cocktail nation. But, they're as true now as they were then, and having been listening to these disks again lately, I'd have to say my thoughts then are maybe even more right now. I mean when you consider the dreck that is passed off for lounge music these days, you have to admit that these earlier comps --while cheesy to be sure-- were the real deal.
Head on over to the modcast homepage to read the reviews and download some sample tracks.
Welcome to the end of yet another great year in music history. I always tell people that the best music I've ever listened to is the music I'm listening to right now. If you're a music lover like me, what else can you say.
2007 is over, but the music will live on. And there was so much good stuff out this past year, how could we not explore a few new gems. Rather than provide yet another year ending list of what I happened to think was best this year, I've opted to serve up some stuff that will hopefully be new to you. All the dozen tracks on this week's show were released in 2007, and so rather than let them get stale in '08, I'm going to deliver them fresh while the year is still with us. Enjoy!
I love Richard Cheese because he's ... well, he's cheesy. There's seldom a better time to be cheesy than at Christmas. Richard does it up just right with this original Christmas tune, "Christmas in Las Vegas". Last year he had a video contest for the song. You can see dozens of entries at Youtube, but this one is my favorite.
Christmas in Las Vegas
Be sure to head on over the modcast homepage at www.mistersuave.com and check out the other Christmas goodies.
Merry Christmas and welcome to Mr. Suave's Mod Mod Christmas episode. It is indeed that time of year again when everyone is dusting off their old skool Christmas disks and spinning Nat King Cole and Burl Ives morning 'til night. But not on this modcast. Nope on this modcast you're going to get the likes of Otis Redding, Arrah and the Ferns, High Elevations, and the Staple Singers. So, heat up the eggnog, slip in some whiskey, sit back and relax with some Christmast cheer.
Next week I'll be serving up my annual modcast of Mr. Suave's Swingin' Christmas. Seems that people really dig it because of the wide variety of christmas music; it's got everything from Combustible Edison to Frank Sinatra, from the most excellent holiday special ever The Year Without a Santa Claus to the Waitresses, and lots more.
And right now I've got a couple of classic Christmas videos up on the modcast homepage from The Ramones and The Kinks. And of course there's a full track list there and other info.
Welcome to Mr. Suave’s Mod Mod World. This week the mod world is blessed with lots and lots of goodness like the incomparable surf, punk, mod, power-pop band Agent Orange and the one and only modsters, Purple Hearts. And a special song I think you'll really enjoy from Mike Tholfsen. There's lots of other good stuff. For a full track listing, bonus videos and more be sure to cruise on over to the modcast homepage at www.mistersuave.com.
Here it is November with Christmas creeping towards us, and it is damn cold here in Seattle. So to help warm the blood I've got another great set of songs for this, the 76th installment of the web's original modcast, Mr. Suave's Mod Mod World.
Kicking things off is a great bit of power pop from BBC DJ Mike Reid's group The Trainspotters. The story behind this one is interesting to say the least. Reid is probably most famous for being the DJ that vaulted Frankie Goes to Hollywood to #1 hit status -- completely unintentionally. The story is that one day on his BBC show Reid started playing a new single from Frankie called Relax, without ever having listened to it first. While it was playing he listened to the lyrics and got so enraged that he pulled the record off the turntable in mid-song and broke it half right on the air. Within hours the BBC had banned the song from all of its stations. It was then that the law of unintended consequences kicked in and within a few days the song was #1 and Frankie Goes To Hollywood became megastars overnight.
There's a few lessons in there to be sure. The rest of this modcast is a lesson in pure power pop. So get yourself a lusty libation, sit back, relax and enjoy the sounds.
Head over to Mr. Suave's Mod Mod World to check out this week's bonus videos from The Strollers and Camera Obscura.
Welcome to Mr Suave's Mod Mod World. First, all apologies for missing last week's modcast. It's inexcusable, but by way of an explanation I will tell you that losing electricity to half your half house is a mind boggleing experience. Mostly because you're trying to figure out what the hell happened between one electical outlet and another to make half the house light up like a Christmast tree and the rest of the house to play dead like a possum. Regardless, I am now able to get the latest modcast broadcasting far and wide. So, here you go with this week's goddam good set. On this modcast I've got The Crooks, Looker, Dirty Pretty Things, Jasmine Minks, 27 Various and lots more.
If you've got something to say then just say it -- in an e-mail and send it to me at rob@mistersuave.com.
Welcome to Mr. Suave's Mod Mod World all girl special. I started putting this modcast together and realized that purely by accident I'd picked out mostly songs about girls. So I finished up the set keeping that with that unconcsious theme and now you're going to be treated to girls, girls, girls. Hopefully I won't get tagged as a perv for searching out songs about little girls, tricky girls, school girls, naked girls, and other girls. All from bands like The Creation, The Thanes, The Scooters and The Headboys. Get youself settled and turn up your speakers, it's time for the show. And, be sure to hit the modcast homepage atwww.mistersuave.com.
Happy Mod-o-ween! Don't be scared this is just Mr. Suave's annual mod halloween episode of Mr. Suave's Mod Mod World. This week's show is extra spooky, extra creepy, and extra good. If you like sixties infused garage rock with a bit of punkish power pop thrown in then you are going to be in heaven.
Madness -- I chase the devil
Gorehounds -- Voodoo priest
Groovie Ghoulies -- Daughter of Frankenstein
Dead Kennedys -- Halloween
The Ghastly Ones -- Haulin' hearse
The B-52s -- Devil in my car
Gravedigger V -- It's spooky
Zombina & The Skeletones -- The grave ... and beyond
Welcome to modcast number 72 of Mr. Suave's Mod Mod World. This episode is chock full of garage, soul, power pop and more. From the Kravin A's to Sleeper, from The Crooks to Rare Groove Orchestra, there's no doubt you will find more than a few morsels of goodness within. And a bit of news for you all, I've launched a new sort of thing on the modcast homepage, Mod Sounds. Every so often I will be sharing mod singles with all my dear listeners out there. So, keep an eye on mistersuave.com because it will update periodically each week with a new download. Kicking things of this week you can grab The Targets -- Searching for a Scene. As always you can e-mail me at rob@mistersuave.com. Enjoy.
This is a repodcast of a classic, early, episode of the modcast. Because of storage issues I've had to take down lots of the early modcasts and lots of people have e-mailed asking if and when I might bring them back. So, here is episode #3 featuring garage revival bands, with the original notes.
Lots of bands start in garages, but these bands all share a certain sound that can only be called sixties punk. They draw their influences from the sixties sounds of the likes of The Standells, The Seeds, The Sonics, The Count 5, Velvet Underground and The Kingsmen. But they also were influenced by the original punk rock scene of the late seventies such as the Ramones, Sex Pistols and New York Dolls. The garage rock bands featured in this episode are just the tip of the iceberg.
The wikipedia probably has the definitive garage rock summary of the genre and an exhaustive list of links to garage bands and related info.
You'll also want to check out the main garage record label Bomp! which has several different labels --such as Voxx-- that feature original sixties garage bands, garage revival acts and current garage acts.
You might like a drink with vodka, but it isn't a martini. If I had a penny for everytime I've had to teach that lesson. This is Mr. Suave's Mixology Lab and Swinigin' Cocktail Lounge, the one place you can learn to make a real martini. Too many cocktail bars mix any old concoction of alcohol and add 'tini as a suffix thinking they'll make it big. All they make is a pathetic drink that is NOT a martini. Enough about bad drinks, this podcast will teach you to make one good drink. Sit back, relax, and remember Mr. Suave's motto -- there are no subtle drinks.
Once more into the vault my friends, once more into the vault. Step back in time, to a time when the modcast was young and fresh. Take a giant step outside your current listening constraints and journey with me all the way back to the spring of 2007. I've opened up the vaults and dusted off a classic modcast that I think you'll enjoy. Again.
Welcome to Mr. Suave's Mod Mod World. I've got a nice mix of power pop. garage rock and brit pop. And, I've got one of my favorite garage bands, The Funseekers. In 1989 they came out and played the American Mayday 89 show I sponsored in LA and I while they slept on my kitchen floor I got a chance to know the guys and have to say they were probably the most authentic bunch of garage rockers I've ever met.
The Jags -- Evening Standards
Gore Gore Girls -- Hard Enough
The Movements -- Cry For You
Groovie Ghoulies -- Criswell Predicts
Dodgy -- Waiting for the Day
The Rewinds -- Ghostriders
Elastica -- Annie
The Penthouse 5 -- Today is Just Tomorrow's Yesterday
The Sorrows -- So You've Got What I want
The Move -- So You Wanna Be a Rock-N-Roll Star
The Funseekers -- Welcome to My Love
Bonus Video: The Groovie Ghoulies -- Island of Pogo Pogo
Once more into the vault my friends, once more into the vault. Step back in time, to a time when the modcast was young and fresh. Step back to 2007. I've opened up the vaults and dusted off a classic modcast that I think you'll enjoy. Again.
Modcast #38 complete with a little soul and a lot of rock and roll.
The Mosquitos -- Put Your Foot Down
The Machine -- Nobody Wants You
The Equals -- Black Skinned Blue Eyed Boys
The Untouchables -- I Spy (For the FBI)
Straight Up -- One Out All Out
The Rakes -- 22 Grand Job
Dirty Pretty Things -- Doctors & Dealers
The Cogburns -- Rollers Rip
The New Breed -- Unto Us
Yardbirds -- Drinking Muddy Water
Risk -- Should Have Known Better
Bonus Video: Here's "Left, Right & Center" by Lord Large, featuring vocals by Dean Parish. Interestingly, this song was penned by a young, teen-aged Paul Weller, well before his days with the Jam, and shows the obvious influence of soul music at a time when you would have thought he was more focused on power-pop bordering on punk. Of course the soul influence would resurface on later Jam albums. Lucky for us we have this now.
![[PLAY]](http://modrob.podOmatic.com/img/play_button.gif)
Welcome to Mr. Suave’s cold, cold world. Cold, brrrr, because I spent this past week in the freezing cold, the subzero, completely ungodly temperatures of snowy Minnesota. I thought for sure that I’d have all the time in the world to work on the modcast – I mean what the hell else do you do when it’s below zero? And way, way, way, below zero with the wind chill. Surprisingly, I had a full schedule of relaxing, drinking martinis, sleeping, drinking martinis, relaxing, drinking martinis, and visiting with the family. Oh yeah, and drinking martinis. Gotta keep warm somehow. No matter, the songs on this week’s show are hot, hot, hot. We’ve got mod, mod and more mod. From The Crooks and The Lambrettas to Manual Scan and The Vertabrats, it’s all good. Welcome to modcast #85. Enjoy. 
This year's modcast has all the elements of a classic -- old and new, power pop and punk rock, garage and indie faves, traditional --and not so traditional-- holiday cheer. Everything from The Wombats to the The Yobs, and some interesting stuff inbetween from The Andersons, Young Fresh Fellows, The Shambles, Girl Trouble, The Wondermints and more. 
Welcome to Mr. Suave's Mod Mod World. It's with mixed feelings that I've opened the show with a track from the new Kaiser Chiefs album. That would be Good Days Bad Days from their new album Off With Their Heads. Interestingly this album garnered the Chiefs much critical acclaim, especially in the US, and rose to #2 in the UK. And I think its because it is the least mod friendly of their releases to date. It's a fine album, but it is light years from being as good as either Employment or Yours Truly Angry Mob. Less of the band's power pop influences are showcased, instead at the forefront is more of a post-punk vibe. Not a bad listen, but not as power pop incluenced as were their earlier works. Now, listen to the rest of the show and you will be rewarded. Ten fold. It's a treasure trove of great tracks.
Be afraid, be very afraid. Ken from 
Their sound over the years has twisted around like a tornado throwing out bits of space age bachelor pad music, bossa nova enahnced electronica, sweet sixties lounge, and synthesized soul. I expected a more cerebral show. But I was greeted with a band driven by a drummer setting an insane pace and what at times was as hard and rocking as any punk show I've ever seen. The songs were the same, the intensity was dialed up, and there was a very clear rock and roll core there that doesn't always show up on their albums. It was delightful. All that to say that this week's modcast opens with a track from Stereolabs new release, runs on along and closes with another new release from London's Supernovas, a band that is on a self-proclaimed mission to trigger a new mod revival. It's a good show that I think you'll enjoy. 
Recently a friend --we'll call him Minnesota Mark -- asked me what mod is. More than that, he asked if I could put together a short playlist of the best mod songs. And you know, I was blown away by how difficult a task that turned out to be. I found that you can't narrow down to a dozen or so the most quintessential mod songs. Not to mention it's a totally subjective thing. What I think of as quintessential mod songs will be much different than another mod's picks. And what is quintessential anyhow? Again it's pretty subjective. I think I would define the quintessential mod songs as the songs that made me a mod early on -- mostly these were the songs that I simply loved that were already considered mod songs. As I thought about it though, I realized that quintessential mod songs are also those that when I hear them they make me think mod, they make me think of the mod sound and what it means to be a mod. They need not be original quote unquote mod songs.
Recently a friend asked me what mod is and if I could put together a short playlist of the most quintessential, foundational, mod songs. And you know, I was blown away by how hard it was. I found that ou can't narrow down to a dozen or so the most quintessential mod songs. Not to mention it's a totally subjective thing. What I think of as quintessential mod songs will be much different than another mod's picks. And what is quintessential, again it's pretty subjective. Early I, I think I would define it as the songs that made me a mod early on, the songs that I simply loved that were already considered mod songs. Later, I would say that it is songs that when I hear them they make me think mod, they make me think of the mod sound and what it means to be a mod. Anyhow, the question got me to thinking: I bet there a lot of people who'd be interested in hearing what I think are the most essential mod songs. So, I'm going to do a periodic series of modcasts picking the dozen or so most essential mod sounds each time, corresponding with a specific genre unique to mods, or a specific mod era. Next week I'm starting where you should start, at the beginning, in the sixties. Thank you to Mark for asking the question of what a mod is and what mod music sounds like and getting this ball rolling.
Welcome to episode #24 of 
Now I've got some lounge music recommendations over at 
