Fingal's Cave Podcast

13/05/2025

Fingal's Cave Podcast - Ep.27 - Set the Controls: Lee Harris and the Early Days of Pink Floyd

Hello everyone!

Lee Harris, the founder and guitarist of the successful band ‘Nick Mason's Saucerful of Secret’ was our first interview guest almost two years ago.

We had an exciting conversation back then and we knew we wanted to invite him back to our podcast. Now, 25 episodes later, the time has finally come, Lee Harris is back!

Together with Phil Salathé, in this episode we talk about Lee's youth, his own career as co-manager and guitarist of the band ‘Ian Dury and the Blockheads’ and the musical development of Pink Floyd between the years 1967 and 1972, an era they cover with the 'Saucers'.

Lee also gives us a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the band, describing the conditions under which the songs were chosen and why Echoes came so late in the setlist. Look forward to a lively conversation between two full-blooded musicians and some great and nerdy insights...

Have fun!

Chapters:
00:00:00 Intro and welcome Lee!
00:01:32 Lee's childhood, first concerts and first guitar
00:06:36 Meeting Norman Watt-Roy and Ian Dury and the Blockheads
00:13:15 The birth of the "Saucers"
00:16:00 Obscured by Clouds (sneak peek)
00:17:02 The Syd era (1967-1968, and solo)
00:25:41 How Lee recreates these songs...
00:30:59 David's effects rack
00:32:37 The Alan’s Psychedelic Breakfast story
00:35:14 "Pink Floyd used to play much faster!"
00:36:43 Performing Atom heart mother
00:41:50 Meddle, the 'Doctor Who' theme and the Nile Song
00:44:32 Nick Mason doesn’t want to sing Scream Thy Last Scream, but would David?
00:45:47 "We tend to only play songs that everyone in the band likes"
00:48:07 One in a Million, Fat Old Sun and The Embryo
00:50:49 About actual improvisations and "rehearsed" ones
00:55:54 Talking about Joe Walsh
00:58:57 Richard Wright / "We could perform a 'Pink Floyd Songbook' at a later date"
01:01:40 Playing with Nick Mason (“He is a special drummer!”)
01:05:18 "They were so tight at Pompeii in 1971, but then lost it somehow"
01:07:54 "When something goes wrong, it really seems to liberate them"
01:09:43 "Was the Pompeii film a farewell present of the old Floyd?"
01:11:44 Obscured by Clouds
01:15:57 Why they did not play Echoes before 2022
01:16:36 Thank you so much Lee, please come back!
01:18:42 Outro

​Links:
​Homepage: https://fingalscavepodcast.com
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QK9GHpM4DQ0
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcas...e/id1686352696
Amazon: https://music.amazon.de/podcasts/ef8...ink-floyd-fans
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5l7sw8X4YkSNpvxkYOzF2z

08/04/2025

Fingal's Cave Podcast Ep.26 - Over the Moon: Pink Floyd Live 1974-1975

Hello everybody!

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the start of the North America tour in 1975, we present a new and exciting episode of the Fingal's Cave podcast.

In more than 2 hours we discuss Pink Floyd's so-called transition period between 1974 and 1975, often derided as the band's creative low point.

But even though there were many late decisions, sound problems, mishaps and - to be frank - a certain amount of laziness, these three tours, which started in Colmar (France) on 22nd June and ended in Knebworth (UK) on 5th July, offered plenty to talk about.

From one of the finest Dark Side of the Moon shows in Bristol to a total disaster in Knebworth, Pink Floyd went through a rollercoaster ride in these 382 days, defining their own future by road-testing new material and setting the stage (no pun intended) with stunning new visuals, including the birth of Mr. Screen.

So, we are proud to bring you an in-depth chat that even the dedicated Pink Floyd fan will learn something from, we promise!

Big, big thanks to Phil, Kyle & Mike who have spent several weeks researching, reading, listening and fact-checking in preparation for this episode, which is (and I'm only the presenter so I can say this) not only a podcast but a profound documentation about a very strange and special era of Pink Floyd.

Enjoy it! ​

Homepage: https://fingalscavepodcast.com
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYdbAPpsr60
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcas...e/id1686352696
Amazon: https://music.amazon.de/podcasts/ef8...ink-floyd-fans
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5l7sw8X4YkSNpvxkYOzF2z

31/01/2025

Hello everyone!

A new year and another season of this fine show!

In today's episode we talk about a very special time for Pink Floyd between 1978 -1981 and the staging of THE WALL live shows. This would be the last time until 2005 where the main four members played live as a band, so it is an important, if melancholic period.

Together with Kyle and Phil (Salathé) we discuss the circumstances surrounding the album THE WALL, the so-called ‘Performance Manuscript’ and of course many shows from the tour itself.

In particular we discuss the tour rehearsals, the start of the tour in Los Angeles on February 7th 1980, the video recordings of the concert in New York at the Nassau Coliseum, in London at Earl’s Court, and of course about the great shows in Dortmund, a typical German city in the middle of the Ruhr area. We also take a brief look at the last run of wall shows in June of 1981.

In a little more than 2 hours you will learn many insights, mishaps, surprises and hopefully yet unknown things about the Wall live!

Credit goes to RarePinkFloyd for providing research materials for this episode. You can view his wonderful website here; http://www.rarepinkfloyd.fr/

Credit also goes to Vernon Fitch and Richard Mahon’s incredible book, “Comfortably Numb: A History of The Wall 1978-1981”, which you can purchase here;
www.pfapublishing.com
​

Chapters:
00:00:00 …we came in?
00:01:54 Overview
00:04:49 The Album
00:07:31 Musical connections to "The Old Floyd"
00:23:32 The Rehearsals & The "Performance Manuscript"
00:49:47 The First Night In LA, 7th February 1980
00:57:31 The infamous "Last Few Bricks" Jam
01:02:33 Beginning of Roger’s Lipsyncing
01:17:06 Nassau Coliseum Video
01:26:55 But why did they even play The Wall live?
01:37:50 The Earl's Court shows in London
01:39:22 The album compositions vs. the live shows
01:41:48 A week in Dortmund
01:49:42 The "Run Like Hell" speeches
01:54:37 Back to Earl’s Court to shoot The Wall
01:57:45 More Technical Problems
02:00:31 The "Last Waltz"
02:06:12 Isn’t this where…​

Links:
​Homepage: https://fingalscavepodcast.com
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M35TuhCId3w
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcas...e/id1686352696
Amazon: https://music.amazon.de/podcasts/ef8...ink-floyd-fans
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5l7sw8X4YkSNpvxkYOzF2z

29/11/2024

Hello everybody!

If you were to make a list of the musicians who made some of the most beloved recordings in rock music, the name Jerry Shirley will come up over and over again. In addition to his role as drummer in Humble Pie, he has worked closely with luminaries like B.B. King, John Entwistle, and of course, Syd Barrett.

In this episode, he sits down with Phil Salathé to discuss his long and storied career, and to share stories from his work with Syd in the studio and live. We also investigate a few mysteries in the process, including an enigmatic Syd outtake that's stymied researchers for decades.

You won't want to miss it!

04/10/2024

Happy weekend everybody!

'Here they come!' is one of the most well known quotes at the start of a Pink Floyd show...and not only one show of many but the start of the most exciting tours Pink Floyd ever presented...and the birth of 'The Dark Side of the Moon'

In this episode, Phil Salathé and Ian Priston delve deep into the January 1972 shows, offering insightful musical analysis and thorough research to shed light on this pivotal moment in Pink Floyd’s history.​

Over the course of eight days in January 1972, Pink Floyd began to showcase The Dark Side Of The Moon, their brand-new piece of music, which would ultimately define their legacy. The band kicked off their tour with concerts in Brighton, Portsmouth, Bournemouth, and Southampton, before heading north to Newcastle and Leeds.

For live recording collectors, these early dates have long been a source of confusion, with persistent issues regarding accurate dates and uncertainties surrounding the content and quality of the audience recordings. Consequently, the pivotal January shows are often overshadowed by the February 1972 Rainbow Theatre concerts.

​
Chapters:
00:00:00 Introduction (January 1972)
00:12:56 Thursday, 20 January 1972 - The Dome, Brighton
00:38:39 Friday, 21 January 1972 - Portsmouth Guildhall, Portsmouth
00:51:14 Saturday, 22 January 1972 - Bournemouth Winter Gardens, Bournemouth
01:06:39 Sunday, 23 January 1972 - Southampton Guildhall, Southampton
01:18:24 Thursday, 27 January 1972 - Newcastle City Hall, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne
01:33:57 Friday, 28 January 1972 - Leeds Town Hall, Leeds
01:38:46 The journey ends & outro
​

Homepage: https://fingalscavepodcast.com
Youtube: https://youtu.be/oQ_7lxpUuMg
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcas...e/id1686352696
Amazon: https://music.amazon.de/podcasts/ef8...ink-floyd-fans
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5l7sw8X4YkSNpvxkYOzF2z

Over the course of eight days in January 1972, Pink Floyd began to showcase The Dark Side Of The Moon, their brand-new piece of music, which would ultimately...

05/09/2024

The Fingal's Cave podcast is back after a short summerbreak!

In this episode we have another exciting guest. While the name of our interviewee may not be familiar to everyone, his works are for sure.

Alex started creating artwork for various Pink Floyd bootlegs in the late 90's and supported the Harvested label on a few releases.

He then started a YouTube channel and released animated versions of the official Pink Floyd artwork. This later led to a collaboration with Nick Mason's Saucerful of Secrets and eventually a close association with the family of Roger “Syd” Barrett, where Alex is the official animator for all content on the official website.

The conversation was exciting, funny and insightful, but watch/hear for yourself!

Links:
https://www.sydbarrett.com/
https://www.youtube.com/c/artistonthe...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZq92... (Animated Relics Artwork)

Photo by: Boel Ferm

Chapters:
00:00:00 Intro & Welcome
00:01:19 Your first encounter with Pink Floyd
00:06:07 Getting closer to bootlegs
00:14:12 Creating bootleg artworks
00:19:56 The end of Harvested
00:22:27 A new start!?
00:27:41 Were Pink Floyd taking risks (on artworks)?
00:32:53 Are we losing everything (AI)?
00:38:13 The YouTube Channel
00:43:48 You have been shared...!
00:46:07 Backdrops for NMSOS live shows
00:49:00 From 'MMXP' zu 'Artist on the border'
00:52:50 Meeting Ian Barrett
00:55:39 Talking about Roger Barrett
01:02:27 Getting the official animator for the website
01:06:53 The love letters to Libby and Jenny
01:13:04 What's to come...
01:16:25 Thank you and goodbye!​

Homepage: https://fingalscavepodcast.com
Youtube: https://youtu.be/lrPFT3EZt-Q
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcas...e/id1686352696
Amazon: https://music.amazon.de/podcasts/ef8...ink-floyd-fans
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5l7sw8X4YkSNpvxkYOzF2z

Hello and welcome back!In this episode we have another exciting guest. While the name of our interviewee may not be familiar to everyone, his works are for s...

30/07/2024

Fingal's Cave SPECIAL - Andreas Kraska on his book PINK FLOYD - The RECORDS (German with subtitles)

Hello everybody!

So that the podcast's summer break doesn't get too long, we have a nice special for you!

We welcome Andreas Kraska, the author of the book ‘Pink Floyd - The Records’, also known as the ultimate ‘bootleg bible’.

Even though this episode was recorded in German, it should definitely be watched by all Pink Floyd enthusiasts. Don't hesitate, because hand-created subtitles should give you, the English-speaking fans, also a good understanding.

Text:
In this episode we have a visit from Andreas Kraska, who is not only the author of the famous and banned "Bootleg Bible" called ‘PINK FLOYD - The Records’, but also owned one of the largest Pink Floyd collections in Europe (if not worldwide).

For the first time, Andreas talks openly about his involvement in various bootlegs, his legal problems with the publication of his book and how he discussed possible legal fees with David Gilmour and Nick Mason in a hotel lobby in germany.

Finally, Andreas tells us about his other hobby, the collecting of Tefifon equipment, an exciting invention from the 50s that unfortunately never became a success.

Andreas has been deeply rooted in the Pink Floyd scene for over 40 years, was well connected to all the big names in the Pink Floyd community and it was a pure joy to talk to him.

Due to the fact that both Andreas Kraska and the host Nils Zehnpfennig are from Germany, we decided to conduct the interview in German with English subtitles.

Chapters:
00:00:00 Intro & welcome Andreas
00:01:20 First contact with Pink Floyd
00:03:31 Animals Tour 1977 and meeting them at the hotel in 1988
00:07:14 What made you write a book?
00:11:45 Were you involved in bootlegs?
00:13:39 The foreword...and the idea behind it
00:16:05 Legal issues...three reasons
00:20:41 Selling the book at the Maifeld Berlin 1988...or not?
00:22:11 How the idea for the book came about...
00:25:01 And how a drug related bust almost killed it
00:28:24 The famous cover picture (and the unknown bootleg)
00:30:57 Who helped you on the way?
00:36:58 Rolf Ossenberg
00:39:49 The biggest collection!?
00:44:32 The Tefifon
00:52:01 Haptic experience vs streaming
00:53:50 Did the legal dispute hurt your love to Pink Floyd?
00:56:22 Thank you and goodbye​

Youtube:

In this episode we have a visit from Andreas Kraska, who is not only the author of the famous and banned "Bootleg Bible" called ‘PINK FLOYD - The Records’, b...

07/07/2024

Fingal's Cave Podcast Ep.20 - The Legend of Mick the Hat

Hi All!
On this, our 20th episode, we speak with a person who has chosen to go by the pseudonym of "Mick the Hat", and when you listen you'll certainly understand why. One of our favorite things to do on this podcast is to interview people who have knowledge that no one else in the world possesses, and who can shed light on some of the most legendary events in the history of Pink Floyd. Mick the Hat is one of those people. For anyone interested in the saga of Pink Floyd live recordings and vinyl bootlegs, you won't want to miss a minute of Mick the Hat's recollections, as elicited by podcast producer and interviewer Ian Priston. His tales of BFI busts gone wrong, of taping some of the most beloved shows in Pink Floyd history, and of dealing with some of the quirkiest characters out there, are one of a kind revelations that you won't hear anywhere else.

Part 1:
00:00:00 Introduction
00:00:54 Where does Pink Floyd start for you?
00:04:17 Rainbow 1972 (and 1973)
00:08:22 The collection
00:12:35 Early shows and films
00:18:02 Front row at Earls Court 1973
00:22:51 Trentham Gardens and the "biggest bootlegger in Britain"
00:32:55 How the 1974 shows improved
00:35:00 These tapes are personal!
00:37:10 Knebworth 1975
00:40:16 1977 shows (and soundchecks)
00:43:24 Contacts with remarkable tapes
00:51:03 Soundboards, 1975-77, and the phantom Toronto 1973
00:54:51 Ian Sippen's famous Rainbow 1972 recording
00:56:31 Back to 1977 and missing the last Axe

Part 2:
01:00:00 The first pig
01:01:17 1980: going to L.A. for The Wall
01:07:57 "Where's my ticket?!"
01:13:27 Joining the road crew
01:16:34 Back to Europe, 1980-81
01:18:00 "I saw every night!" and 8mm films
01:19:39 The last night in Dortmund 1981
01:21:01 Tape recorders and Canadian tapers
01:23:54 The great guy in Japan
01:28:19 The origins of Giant Barn Dance/30 KW PA
01:29:49 That time the BPI made its own Bowie bootleg
01:33:48 Counterfeits, copyright dumps, and Stockholm 1967
01:37:37 The Nitz brothers and the Pink Fan
01:43:59 Pictures of Pink Floyd and Richard Branson
01:46:43 Some names from the past
01:49:51 Dave in San Jose and Household Objects
01:52:42 Back in England with Nick and Steve
01:54:29 Croydon 1970 and the Let's Roll Another One rehearsal
01:59:11 Remembering Bernard White
02:08:43 The homecoming of Bernard's scrapbook
02:11:40 Le Livre du Pink Floyd
02:16:07 Wrapping up (and the man in Kent)​

Homepage: https://fingalscavepodcast.com
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZtT-dtmye0
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcas...e/id1686352696
Amazon: https://music.amazon.de/podcasts/ef8...ink-floyd-fans
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5l7sw8X4YkSNpvxkYOzF2z

20/06/2024

Hi everybody!

We are very delighted to present another exciting episode of the Fingal's Cave podcast!

Today's guest is a Pink Floyd legend, composer, musician and audio engineer: Andy Jackson. Andy has worked with Pink Floyd, Roger Waters and David Gilmour since 1981. His latest release, AI AJ, has attracting much praise for breaking new musical ground and its topical content. Andy's musical career needs no introduction. We are delighted to say that he gives a full and open account of the past four decades to our hosts Nils Zehnpfennig and Phil Salathé.

Have fun!

Homepage: https://fingalscavepodcast.com
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKlIhSJMFHI
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcas...e/id1686352696
Amazon: https://music.amazon.de/podcasts/ef8...ink-floyd-fans
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5l7sw8X4YkSNpvxkYOzF2z

Today's guest is a Pink Floyd legend, composer, musician and audio engineer: Andy Jackson. Andy has worked with Pink Floyd, Roger Waters and David Gilmour s...

30/05/2024

Ep.18 - Vinyl memories, concert experiences and long-term friendships: Ron Fleischer’s 45 year Pink Floyd musical journey

“In the end it's all about Friendship!”
In this episode, we look back on almost 50 years of an intimate experience with Pink Floyd and its solo members.
Ron Fleischer may not be known to everyone by name, but all dedicated Pink Floyd fans have at least one of his outputs, released under the name HARVESTED, at home.
But in this episode we don't want to talk about the HARVESTED label, but rather take you on a journey through almost 50 Pink Floyd related concerts that began in Miami in 1977 and is still ongoing...
Ron tells us about these shows with many exciting anecdotes and above all gives us a story about friendship and passion that connects us Pink Floyd fans.
Ron Fleischer is not only an important part of the Pink Floyd community but has made many things accessible to the fans thanks to his projects, so this episode in which he tells his story, is a very special one for us.

Homepage: https://fingalscavepodcast.com
Youtube: https://youtu.be/FbTylQaj6zw
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcas...e/id1686352696
Amazon: https://music.amazon.de/podcasts/ef8...ink-floyd-fans
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5l7sw8X4YkSNpvxkYOzF2z

...Pink Floyd musical journey“In the end it's all about Friendship!”In this episode, we look back on almost 50 years of an intimate experience with Pink Floy...

07/05/2024

Hello everyone,

It is with great pleasure that we offer you a new episode of the Fingal's Cave Podcast today. This episode is a very special one in many ways: it is by far the longest ever produced and at the same time it looks straight into the hearts of many Roger Waters and Pink Floyd fans. For almost three hours we discuss with passion, sometimes controversially, sometimes in agreement about 8 years of Roger Waters solo work. A conversation that I as the host enjoyed immensely and we very much hope that you will enjoy it too!
Have fun!

Homepage: https://fingalscavepodcast.com
Youtube: https://youtu.be/9R7ISCebNWo
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcas...e/id1686352696
Amazon: https://music.amazon.de/podcasts/ef8...ink-floyd-fans
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5l7sw8X4YkSNpvxkYOzF2z

15/04/2024

Hello everyone!

In this episode we want to tackle a topic that is often fraud with emotions and talk about the Pink Floyd period after Roger Waters left the band often called “The Later Years”.

To help me out we invited two Pink Floyd specialists to delve deeper into this era. We discuss exciting topics like the pros and cons of the album “A Momentary Lapse of Reason”, the world tour 1987-1989 and why Echoes was only played in the first 12 shows. We talk about the musicians on stage, irritating lyrics and why we think that the 1994 world tour is unfortunately just a boring version of the 1987 tour. Finally, we discuss the remix version of AMLOR and what we like about this release.

Homepage: https://fingalscavepodcast.com
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8fdKHMlhmc
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcas...e/id1686352696
Amazon: https://music.amazon.de/podcasts/ef8...ink-floyd-fans
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5l7sw8X4YkSNpvxkYOzF2z

In this episode we want to tackle a topic that is often fraud with emotions and talk about the Pink Floyd period after Roger Waters left the band often calle...