Retropopic Radio

13/12/2025

R1261 – TODD BERNHARDT: COMPLICATED GAME Todd talks about his co write with Andy Partridge
This 1 hour long ‘without music’ podcast represents the final edit of my long interview with Todd Bernhardt as here we talk about the book he co wrote with Andy Partridge ‘Complicated Game: Inside The Songs Of XTC’, many of Andy’s XTC songs and of course the relationship Todd developed with Andy. Click here to access:
https://www.mixcloud.com/FrenchSpurs1/r1261-todd-bernhardt-complicated-game-todd-talks-about-his-co-write-with-andy-partridge/

13/12/2025

“Creeque Alley” was a #5 smash hit from The Mamas & The Papas 3rd album “Deliver” in 1967. Read about it in Gettin' Kinda Itchie - The Untold Prequel to The Mamas & The Papas and listen to the NEW podcast about the record on Retropopic Radio.

https://www.mixcloud.com/FrenchSpurs1/r1142-the-mamas-papas-deliver-featuring-global-authority-on-the-group-richard-campbell/

#1967

14/08/2025

R1225 – DEXYS MIDNIGHT RUNNERS: SEARCHING FOR THE YOUNG SOUL REBELS IN 1980 a fan’s album appreciation

Alongside great music The Saint of RETROPOPIC RADIO talks with Peter Flierl of Plan B about that Dexy's Midnight Runners debut album, a piece of music that's very close to his heart. Click here to access: https://www.mixcloud.com/FrenchSpurs1/r1225-dexys-midnight-runners-searching-for-the-young-soul-rebels-an-album-appreciation/
When did the idea to form Dexys first come into Kevin Rowland's thinking? Why was hearing the music of that Dexys first album so special for Peter? What are the thoughts on the cover art of the album? How does Peter view the image of the band during that time period? What are Peter's thoughts on those Kevin Rowland lead vocals on this album? Finally how does Peter describe Dexys debut album?

07/08/2025

7PM UK TIME & 1400 EST
7PM EST & MIDNITE
TERRI THAL FIRST MANAGER OF DYLAN TALKS TO THE SAINT

As always alongside great music on Outlaw Renegade in the US Terri Thal talks with me about her book, released through McNidder & Grace, which effectively recounts her amazing journey through the 60s from coffee bar folk to the birth of rock. Must listen!

06/08/2025

R1222 – THE REPLACEMENTS & TIM a track by track album appreciation with musician Ronny Dap
In this podcast Australian musician Ronny Dap discuss The Replacements album 'Tim' with The Saint of RETROPOPIC RADIO.
Click here to access: https://www.mixcloud.com/FrenchSpurs1/r1222-the-replacements-tim-a-track-by-track-album-appreciation-with-musician-ronny-dap/
How did Paul Westerberg come to join The Replacements? Why did they call their first album on major label Sire 'Tim'? What are The Saint's views on the cover art? How was Bob Stimson struggling at the time the album was recorded? Why does 'Hold My Life' seem loose to Ronny? What do we learn about how this original line up were like live? How come The Replacements were never commercially successful? Where did the inspiration for that Westerberg lyric 'Waitress In The Sky' come from? Why are they critical of Tommy Ramone's production? How is 'Bastards of Young' such a standout track? What was the group's attitude towards that promo video? How much were The Replacements an influence on grunge? To what extent did the album signpost how brilliant Westerberg was as a songwriter?

04/08/2025

R1221 – EARLIEST DAYS TO PLAYING IN FLESH FOR LULU drummer Hans Persson talks with Retropopic Radio
Once again The Saint of RETROPOPIC RADIO talks about Flesh For Lulu with a member of the group.

This time it's the period Hans Persson was their drummer as in this podcast we hear from him about the part he played!

Click here to access: https://www.mixcloud.com/FrenchSpurs1/r1221-earliest-days-to-playing-in-flesh-for-lulu-drummer-hans-persson-talks-with-retropopic-radio/

How did Hans first become interested in music? What affect did hearing The S*x Pistols on the radio have on him? Why wasn't Hans able to see The Pistols play live when they came to his home town of Helsingborg in 1977? What were the circumstances that lead to him joining Flesh For Lulu to promote the album Plastic Fantastic? How does he remember bassist Mike Steed? Why wasn't Steedy a good fit for the group? How does he remember John Lydon on the PIL tour? Why was that tour so enjoyable for Hans? What affect did that Nirvana breakthrough have on Flesh For Lulu? Why did the group struggle so much towards the end of their days?

In short alongside tracks from The Pistols, The Ramones, PIL, Nirvana & Flesh For Lulu drummer Hans Persson shares his memories with me about his days playing with Flesh For Lulu.

23/06/2025

R1206 - WHAT YOU DOING TUESDAY? Marco Pirroni talks with RETROPOPIC RADIO about his pathway in music
Unencumbered by music in this 46 minute podcast from 2025 musician Marco Pirroni talks with The Saint of RETROPOPIC RADIO about his whole journey from his earliest days onto his time involved in the London punk scene, his time involved with Stuart Goddard AKA Adam Ant as well as artists such as Sinéad O'Connor and we find out what his priority is now.
Click here to access: https://www.mixcloud.com/FrenchSpurs1/r1206-marco-marco-pirroni-talks-with-retropopic-radio-in-2025-about-his-whole-pathway-in-music/

07/06/2025

R1200 - THE MAMAS & PAPAS 2ND FROM 66 a track by track with Richard Campbell the group's global authority

Here The Saint of RETROPOPIC RADIO discusses the Mamas & Papas 2nd studio with the global authority for the group Richard Campbell. Click here to access:

https://www.mixcloud.com/FrenchSpurs1/r1200-the-mamas-papas-2nd-from-66-a-track-by-track-with-richard-campbell-the-groups-global-auth/

Why did the recording of the album suffer severe disruption? What brought Michelle Phillip's temporary dismissal from the group? In what way is there 'extra Mamas' on this album? How was the album almost called 'Crash On Scream On & All Fall Down'? Where did that phrase come from? When was the iconic photograph taken by Guy Webster for the front cover? How did John's lyric reference Michelle on first track 'No Salt On Her Tail'? In what way was John demonstrating his genius at this point? With 'Strange Young Girls' to what extent were the group becoming part of the growing hippy culture? Why does the last track reference back to John’s time before the group?

Here The Saint of RETROPOPIC RADIO discusses the Mamas & Papas 2nd studio with the global authority for the group Richard Campbell Why did the recording of the album suffer severe disruption? What brought Michelle Phillip's temporary dismissal from the group? In what way is there 'extra Mamas' on th...

21/05/2025

R 1194 - THE ‘FRANKIE TEARDROP’ EFFECT a track by track appreciation of the album the song is from with musician David ‘Yorkie’ Palmer

Once again The Saint of RETROPOPIC RADIO talks with David Yorkie Palmer musician with Moongoose about an album close to his heart. Click here to access: https://www.mixcloud.com/FrenchSpurs1/r1194-suicide-by-suicide-a-track-by-track-album-appreciation-with-musician-david-yorkie-palmer/
How did David accidentally first fall across the music of this group? What was the first track that he heard by them? To what extent did he draw Tommy Scott lead singer of Space towards their music? Why does he regard the cover art of this album as being fantastic? How highly does he view the opening track 'Ghost Rider'? What does David see as the objective of Martin Rev & Alan Vega in forming the group? Why is 'Frankie Teardrop' such a special and frightening song? To what extent were the group at the forefront of post punk?

22/04/2025

R1184 – THE CIRCUS & THE NIGHTWHALE Steve Hackett talks to RETROPOPIC about his 28th studio album
Once again The Saint of RETROPOPIC RADIO talks with musician Steve Hackett, as this time their focus is on his solo album 'The Circus & The Nightwhale' released in 2024. Click here to access: https://www.mixcloud.com/FrenchSpurs1/r1184-the-circus-the-whale-steve-hackett-talks-to-retropopic-radio-about-his-28th-studio-album/
Which two tracks were recorded first of all for this album? What was the central concept behind this collection of songs? How does Steve recall his time growing up in London? Why is keyboardist Roger King such an important collaborator for Steve? What are his thoughts on songwriter Jimmy Webb? Which Art Garfunkel album does he view as a 'masterpiece'? Who was the inspiration behind the track 'Taking You Down'? How comfortable is Steve now as a lead vocalist? Why does Steve compare his band leader role to that of a circus ring master? Has the circus ride of touring and recording become more enjoyable now for Steve? Does the Nightwhale metaphor represent death? How satisfied was Steve with the final recording of the album?

13/04/2025

R1180 - ABBA ON RECORD EP9: THE STRUGGLE OF STILL BEING ABBA IN ‘81 Abba authority Carl Magnus Palm talks

Once again, referencing his 2024 'On The Record' book, The Saint of RETROPOPIC RADIO talks with Carl Magnus Palm, the global authority on Abba about the group as here the focus is on that difficult March 1981 to April 1982 period. Click here to access: https://www.mixcloud.com/FrenchSpurs1/r1180-abba-on-record-ep9-the-struggle-of-being-abba-in-81-abba-authority-carl-magnus-palm-talks/
What was the atmosphere like in the room for that November '81 Abba photo shoot for the cover of Visitors? How much did they still enjoy making music in the recording studio? Why was the attitude towards the group different between the genders of Abba? How easy was it for 'One Of Us' & 'Head Over Heals' to be chosen as single releases from the album?

09/03/2025

R1167 - ABBA ON RECORD EP8: WAVING GOODBYE TO THE 70s Abba authority Carl Magnus Palm talks

Once again The Saint of RETROPOPIC RADIO talks with the Abba authority Carl Magnus Palm, referencing his 2024 book 'Abba: On Record', about the group's journey through music as here the focus is on their work at the beginning of the 80s as they wave goodbye to the 70s! Click here to access: https://www.mixcloud.com/upload/FrenchSpurs1/r1167-abba-on-record-ep8-waving-goodbye-to-the-70s-abba-authority-carl-magnus-palm-talks/edit/
At the end of the 70s which pop rock classic kept the Abba single 'I Have A Dream' from getting to the top of the charts in the UK? Why was there this long 7 month wait before 'The Winner Takes It All' was released as Abba's next single, their first in the 80s? Where did the idea for this circus theme come from which appeared on the cover of Super Trouper? Why was the 25th January 1981 such a significant date in Abba's calendar? Which three songs were the contenders for that March 1981 Japanese Coca Cola promotion?