Only Three Lads - Classic Alternative Music Podcast

Hope you like curling up with a good podcast, because this week we're all about books...well, specifically, songs that are about or inspired by literature. How high brow of us!

Our Third Lad for this discussion is "literate folk-pop" singer/songwriter Robert Deeble. Literary themes are central to the heart of his music, and his recently released 7th album, The Space Between Us, is no exception. It's another invitation into the secret, beautiful world he has been building since his 1997 debut, Days Like These.

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We're gonna make you an offer you can't refuse...because this week, we go way back to discuss some of our favorite songs of 1972 with the marvelous Anne Richmond Boston from The Swimming Pool Q's!

Possessing a crystalline voice, Anne's journey led her from church and high school choirs to the quirky new wave of the Swimming Pool Q's. Following their debut album The Deep End on DB Records in 1981, the Q's were one of the first Atlanta/Athens areas bands to be snapped up by a major label. For A&M, they recorded their self-titled second album (1984) and Blue Tomorrow (1986). A major tour with Lou Reed ensued, as did a major label makeover. Anne left the Q's in 1987, with her terrific solo debut, The Big House of Time (largely written by and recorded with then husband Rob Gal from The Coolies) following for DB in 1990. With such a promising start to her solo career, surely a second album was hot on its heels. Right???

Well, the intended follow up, I Should Be Happy, was recorded, roughly mixed, and then shelved for 30+ years for unknown reasons. Fortunately, the tapes were revitalized, revamped, and are at long last released! It's a beautiful song cycle about longing and loss, featuring a notable cast of musicians and singers.

That should make us ALL happy!
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It's the darkest, most spiteful O3L yet!

Thanks to an expected guest standing us up at the last minute, after 322 episodes of musical positivity, this week it's all about pushing each other's musical hot buttons. We each curate a list of five songs that we believe the other will loathe. Detest. Hate.

Which means you get more scorn. More disgust. More Uncle Gregg rants. More annoying Brett "grunge voice" imitations. Lucky...you!?!?



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"The merit in action lies in finishing it to the end." - Genghis Khan

Well, you'll definitely want to finish this six pack to the end, because this week it's all about Meritorio in action. That is, Meritorio Records, the splendid Madrid-based record label founded by Álvaro Lissón that has been connecting some of the finest indie pop/rock artists with worldwide audiences for nearly a decade.

During this six pack, you'll hear the following recent tracks by a selection of Meritorio artists:

1) Prism Shores - "I Didn't Mean To Change My Mind" (from the upcoming LP Softest Attack)

2) Dancer - "Always Running" (from the LP More or Less)

3) The Maureens - "Me & My Friend" (from the forthcoming LP Don't Give Up)

4) The Kitchenettes - "Sunday Best" (single)

5) Rural France - "Lonely Heart Pyramid Scheme" (from the forthcoming LP Sloths)

6) Fort Not - "Careless Love" (from the LP You On Repeat)

Support this great label and its roster at https://meritoriorec.com.
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What the world needs now...is O3L, sweet O3L!

The lads are joined by guitarist/vocalist duo Eric McFadden and Kate Vargas — collectively known as Sgt. Splendor — to count down the top five songs this messed-up world needs right now. The conversation explores how music can heal, empower, and unite in difficult times.

Guest Bios:


Eric McFadden — A spellbinding guitarist with a catalog stretching back to the mid-'80s punk band Angry Babies. He's played with George Clinton & P-Funk All Stars, Eric Burdon & The Animals, Jackson Browne, Joe Strummer, Anders Osborne, Fishbone's Angelo Moore, among many others. Kate believes that Eric is one of the greatest guitarists of all time...and who are we to disagree?


Kate Vargas — A singer-songwriter with five acclaimed solo albums, including Golden Hour in the House of Lugosi (2025). Known for her gritty voice and evocative storytelling. Eric believes that Kate belongs in an elite group of songwriters that include Bob Dylan, Tom Waits, and Leonard Cohen...and who are we to disagree?

About Sgt. Splendor:
Eric and Kate met at Pat McDonald's (of Timbuk 3 fame) Steel Bridge Song Fest at the Holiday Music Motel in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. Their collaboration blends hard rock, riff blues, junkyard folk, desert psychedelia, alternative funk, and carnival-esque vibes. Their third album, Isotopia, is out now on Mother West.

Other Topics Discussed:

The Soil Dove immersive circus/dinner show featuring Joan Baez

Eric's personal encounters with Joe Strummer

The origin story of Sgt. Splendor at Steel Bridge Song Fest

The making of Isotopia

Their cover of Harvey Danger's "Flagpole Sitta"

Uh...Lou Bega.

Music Featured:

Sergeant Splendor — "Brave, Rough, and Ready to Go"

Sergeant Splendor — "Play On"

Connect:

sgtsplendor.com

facebook.com/onlythreelads

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