Tag Archives: The Less Desirables Network

Merry Christmas from the TLD Network

25 Friday Dec 2020

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Salutations™!

I think we all want a Jameson Christmas Tree (photo©Jameson)

From all of us at The Less Desirables Podcast Network, we wish you a…

The Less Desirables Christmas
The Man Who Ate the Town Christmas
The Beer Dads Christmas
Fan Interference Christmas
Wheeler’s Dog Christmas
Asylum – Tales of the Devereaux Diaries KISSmas
Beeswax Vinyl Christmas
Apartment 5B Christmas

Until tomorrow, Merry Christmas!
Scorp out!

—
“Christmas is the spirit of giving without a thought of getting. It is happiness because we see joy in people. It is forgetting self and finding time for others. It is discarding the meaningless and stressing the true values.” – Thomas S. Monson

Spinning Sunday or: The Haul 11/14/20

15 Sunday Nov 2020

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Salutations™!!

Yesterday was a most typical day for The BCPF and me. Up, breakfast, Underdog Records, a quick stop at City Beverage to grab wine that we ordered 2 weeks ago, home to listen to records, MIL, dinner, movie. We love those kind of days. By the way, today is the last Sunday of my 40s. Wow… Here’s the haul:

©Columbia

Elvis Costello – Hey Clockface — This is Elvis’ newest album. We haven’t listened to it, yet, but I liked the pieces that I used in the Underdog Records commercial this week on The Less Desirables. 2×LP, Limited Edition, Indie Exclusive, Red Transparent. Indie exclusive means that the colored vinyl is only available at independent retailers. You won’t get the transparent red at Amazon, Barnes & Noble and large music chains (if those still exist). New.

Norah Jones – Come Away With Me — This was “used” but maybe played once and it is in NM condition. This has become a big deal for the daughter of Ravi Shankar, and both The BCPF and I love her voice, so we had to get it.

Alice In Chains – Facelift — Alice In Chains’ debut album. I have played two songs on it in bands. “We Die Young” and “Man in the Box.” The latter was the first song I ever sang as the lead singer in a band live. A little trio back when I was 22 called Amorak. The name is a long story for another time. But, this album is amazing and I had forgotten just how much so. I still prefer the follow up Dirt but this is still great. 2×LP remaster on 180g black vinyl. New.

Grateful Dead – American Beauty — #261 on the RS List (that matters) and the 50th anniversary edition at that. I am not a fan of the Dead, really. But, I needed this because I think everyone should have it and it’s on that danged list. This is the collector’s edition on 180g black vinyl. New.

The Dream Syndicate – 50 In A 25 Zone — I really know nothing about this. The BCPF put it in the crate. That’s all I know other than it’s a six-track 12″. VG+.

Steve Winwood – Chronicles — A compilation of Winwood tunes. VG+.

Elvis Presley – Elvis Sings The Wonderful World Of Christmas — It’s almost Christmas time and The BCPF loves her some Christmas music. I mostly can’t stand Christmas music, but I love my wife and love her happy. VG+.

Commodores – Midnight Magic — The seventh album from Commodores. This album has the Lionel Richie-penned “Still” and “Sail On.” VG+.

It’s a shorter haul this week and my wallet thanked me for that. RSD Black Friday edition is coming, well, on Black Friday, so go to the RSD website and see what is coming out that day. The last three RSD drops (Covid 2020 editions) were by lottery appointments only. This one is back to lining up, waiting your turn and going in with people you may or may not know. I don’t know that I will be going to the Black Friday RSD but I don’t know that I’m not. Underdog Records will be open from 8a-7p that day. You can order new vinyl that Underdog Records has in its current inventory, day or night, 24/7 by visiting the Underdog Records website. Also, use Discogs to track your music collection of find those things you just gotta have but can’t find.

Until tomorrow, keep spinnin’…
Scorp out!

—
“Lady, morning’s just a moment away and I’m without you once again. You laughed at me. You said you never needed me. I wonder if you need me now?” – “Still” (Richie)

Spinning Sunday or: The Haul 10/31/20

01 Sunday Nov 2020

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Salutations™!!

Yesterday, The BCPF and I went to Underdog Records, first, then we made a stop at City Beverage who was having a tent sale for wine and such. We got to hang out with our friends the Dyers and then had lunch. We stopped at Publix and got some wine for her along with a few essentials. Then home to listen to rekkids. Here’s the haul:

©EMI

Queensrÿche – Empire — This is one of my favorite albums from the 90s, which came out in 1990. Queensrÿche is one of my all-time favorite bands, at least through the album after this one. My favorite album from them (and my second fave all time) is Operation:Mindcrime but I didn’t even know anything other than “Gonna Get Close to You” from QR until this album. I didn’t know of Geoff Tate’s range, the band’s intricate progressions, anything. So, this was reissued and I had to have it. It was a bit pricey but I had to have it, nonetheless. 2xLP. New. Green vinyl.

U2 – All That You Can’t Leave Behind — 2×LP, Special Edition, 20th anniversary edition. The album celebrated 20 years on Friday. This was the release of that. I have never had this on vinyl and don’t know that it was even released on vinyl 20 years ago. But, here we are. This album contained “Beautiful Day,” “Stuck In A Moment You Can’t Get Out Of,” “Walk On” and more. New.

Europe – The Final Countdown — Here it is. One of the most “annoying” hair band albums of the mid-to-late-80s. And, I love it. As overplayed as the title track is, I still love it. I have always loved it and will always love it. “Carrie” is one of the best power ballads of all-time in my opinion. I was so glad to get this album. It was reissued on “clear vinyl with hint of purple” according to its hype sticker. It’s pretty. New.

Devo – Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo! — #442 on the (real) RS List. “Golfball-white vinyl” LP in standard sleeve with reproduction inner sleeve. Limited edition of 4,000 copies. Their cover of “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” is on this. New.

Eels – Earth To Dora — A new release from one of The BCPF’s favorite “bands.” I say it that way because it’s basically Mark O Everett’s show with revolving “band” members. It’s a good listen; I enjoyed it. New.

So, I got a new album from Mipso but it’s not on Discogs yet and I have to put it in myself, I guess. When I do, or if it shows up, I’ll include it on next week’s haul.

I got three of my needed KISS collection items this week from my Kousin Marvin in Pittsburgh. These are the three:

Kiss – Alive III — recorded from the Revenge tour, the album’s “live” tracks were taken from three shows (Cleveland, Detroit, Indianapolis) that happened a mere 24 days after I saw the tour in Greenville, SC. It’s a beefy live album and I have always loved it. 180g, gatefold. Thanks, Marvin! New.

Kiss – MTV Unplugged — The MTV special debuted on Halloween night, 1995. I watched it at the apartment of the drummer of the new band I was part of, Bobby Richardson of Heavens Sake (although we weren’t named that yet). We knew from some internet leaks that there was going to be a reunion of sorts for this show. We watched and enjoyed it. At least I did. I will say that I think one of Paul Stanley’s greatest vocal performances of all-time came during “I Still Love You” on this program. The album itself was released on The BCPF’s 21st birthday. Thanks, Marvin! 180g. New.

Kiss – Carnival Of Souls: The Final Sessions — So, this was the album that KISS was working on when they did the MTV Unplugged show/album. The popularity of that show/album led to a full-blown KISS reunion with Ace and Peter and put this album on “hold.” I say hold. I think it was going to be full-on abandoned. It’s a grunge album in all its aspects. Nothing that KISS was known for, at all. Do I think it’s their greatest album? Nope. But it’s a great album for what it is. I have had to convince others or even practice what I preach on a few KISS albums and what I preach is, “don’t think of it as a KISS album. Think of it as a (fill in the genre blank) album.” Plenty of good things on this, including Bruce Kulick’s lead vocal debut. Thanks, Marvin! 180g. New.

It was a good, short haul. I almost cried during the listening of Empire and The BCPF actually used her turn to let me hear it first. We almost always start with her on Saturdays. I rewarded her with some (attempted) singing of nearly every tune on the album. Lucky her. Lucky me!!! Jonathan rearranged the store as is customary for post-RSD events. But, he wasn’t thinking about RSD Black Friday (still I think it shouldn’t happen) when he did it. He may or may not switch that before then.

But, Underdog Records is open Thursday-Saturday from 11a to 7p and Jonathan ships/delivers records Monday-Wednesday, weather permitting. Check out their website to order new vinyl 24/7. I use Discogs to track my collection.

Until tomorrow, keep spinnin’…
Scorp out!

—
“When lights go down, I see no reason for you to cry. We’ve been through this before. In every time, in every season, God knows I’ve tried. So please, don’t ask for more. Can’t you see it in my eyes? Though this might be our last goodbye.” – “Carrie” (Tempest)

Spinning Monday or: The Haul 10/10/20

12 Monday Oct 2020

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Salutations™!!

The BCPF and I started our Saturday a little different this week. We went to breakfast at Bib’s Downtown and had some delicious biscuits and gravy and a great BLT. Then, we went to Underdog Records and, came home to listen! Also, just throwing this out there… if you get a chance to go to Mojito Latin Soul Food, you will not be sorry! Here’s the haul:

©Anthem/Polydor

Pink Floyd – Autumn Equinox (The Unreleased Pink Floyd London Collection) — Looking over the track listing, I’m not familiar with any of the song titles. But, I have really enjoyed these old Floyd imports. New. 2xLP, Compilation, Unofficial Release.

Pink Floyd – Broadcast in Rome, Italy May 6th, 1968 — Limited Edition, Unofficial Release, Yellow Vinyl. Just four tunes with a Roger Waters interview. New.

Pink Floyd – Old Prospectives — Limited Edition, Unofficial Release, Transparant light blue. More unreleased tunes from Floyd. New.

Pink Floyd – Secret Times — Compilation, Unofficial Release. Same. New.

Buckingham Nicks – Buckingham Nicks — The official release of this album was on Polydor but this is on Anthem. There is an Anthem records that is also distributed by Polydor. It started so Rush could have their own label. Queensrÿche’s Q2K was on that label, as well. I can’t find evidence that supports or denies that this is the same Anthem label. New.

My Bloody Valentine – Loveless — The second album from the Irish band, My Bloody Valentine. This is an import of that. I don’t know anything about the band, but I believe The BCPF does. New.

Radiohead – Other Colors — Live BBC recordings. Unofficial. Black vinyl, and plain white inner sleeve.

The Smiths – The Pablo Cuckoo Tape — Unofficial Release, Red Vinyl. New.

The Smiths – The Old Guard BBC Sessions — 2xLP, Compilation, Reissue, Unofficial Release. This was originally a Vol 1/Vol 2 kind of thing. They combined them, and I mean really combined. LP 1 is pink. LP 2 is transparent orange.

That’s all of the imports. Here’s what else we got.

Andrew Bird – Noble Beast — Bird’s 2009 release. We saw him open for Belle and Sebastian a few years back. The BCPF snuck this one in on me. New.

Man Or Astro-Man? – Experiment Zero — I personally know very little about Man or Astro-Man? The BCPF, however, is very familiar and this was an exciting find for her. It’s from 1996, so definitely a college memory thing. New.

We went kind of crazy on the imports. I have to slow down on those. Jonathan and I are talking about a new venture but I can only tease you with that at this point. Underdog Records is open Thursday-Saturday from 11a to 7p. Jonathan does make store-to-porch deliveries Monday-Wednesday. Of course, Underdog Records is the Official Music Sponsor of The Less Desirables. Also, I use Discogs to track my collection.

Until tomorrow, keep spinnin’…
Scorp out!

—
“I am the son and the heir of a shyness that is criminally vulgar. I am the son and heir of nothing in particular. You shut your mouth, how can you say I go about things the wrong way? I am human and I need to be loved, just like everybody else does.” – “How Soon is Now?” (Marr/Morrissey)

Now Normal Chronicles or: Hell or Well, Hell

09 Friday Oct 2020

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Salutations™!!

Today is the 8th anniversary of KISS’ last (so far) album, Monster. We talked about this this on Asylum: Tales from the Devereaux Diaries podcast last night. It’s not a bad album. There’s a lot of energy and a lot of ambition. I didn’t like it much at first, but over the last two weeks I have listened to it a lot (along with Sonic Boom) and have a new appreciation for it. This KISS tribute band does a decent job with it. The Catman looks like Peter back there. The Starchild has a hard time with the vocals but no worse than Paul does. Enjoy!

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“I rode the highway to heartache. I took a trip on the ship of fools, woah yeah! And I paid the price to have my way because money makes the rules, yeah!” – “Hell or Hallelujah” (Stanley)

My Holiday or: A Happy Podfather

30 Wednesday Sep 2020

Posted by in Life as We Know It, Podcasting, The Less Desirables Network

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Salutations™!!

Today I get to celebrate a holiday that many celebrate now but when I started there were a lot fewer. Today is International Podcast Day.

I have mentioned before that I have been podcasting longer than probably 98% people in the area and probably that much or more continuously. I started podcasting in 2007 when I was co-owner of a local comic book store. We only did about 5 or 6 that was even worth mentioning and it most of that was rehashing recorded conference calls with Marvel Comics execs. But, it was a start and wasn’t what I wanted to do. I wanted to do a radio show. I wanted to talk about pop culture. I still want to do radio. And, in a way, I do.

I started The Less Desirables with my pal Brian Attridge on February 3, 2010. You know that story. Eugene came along, Brian left, Caitlin came, Eugene left, Bruce came, Bruce left, Danielle came, Caitlin left, Bethany came. I’ve talked that ad nauseum by now. I wanted to do more than The Less Desirables, though. I wanted a whole network of podcasts, whether I was involved or not, perhaps just as an associate producer. Also, I wanted to get my “studio” out of my house and into a real business location.

So, in late 2012, Eugene and I moved all my stuff from my bedroom loft to a spot in the Chatham Building off of Fourth Street in WSNC. Soon after, in early 2013, I started producing both the Camel City News Hour hosted by Chad Nance and Fan Interference hosted by Ty Collins. CCNH lasted a few years and Fan Interference is still going today. Later in 2013, Nikki Miller-Ka, The BCPF and I started Tart & Tangy Triad, a food news podcast. That went until early 2016.

In February 2015, five years after starting The Less Desirables, Jon Lowder, Paul Jones, and I started The Beer Dads Podcast, after we were sitting at Small Batch Beer trying to decide what we were going to do a podcast about and I came in complaining about 3B, my son. We recorded it and Jon and Paul have become partners of mine. We have crossed the 200 episode mark.

In July of 2016, I recorded my first episode of The Man Who Ate the Town Podcast because I wanted another food podcast and had to rebut nasty comments about a critique of a local restaurant that I was actually a fan of. That is still going and I have had four co-hosts. Kelly Bone was my first, followed by Tim Johnson, then Ray Morgan. Ray is still with me and we have added Lea Metz to our lineup. I love them both being there. We will record episode 170 next week.

In late 2016, I started Sipping NC: The Art of Drinking Podcast with Jordan Keiper and we had a lot of drinking to do, for sure. We recorded into 2017 had to pause due to an illness in Jordan’s family. We are still on that hiatus, although Jordan and I have discussed, along with Danielle from TLD restarting it back up, but C-19 and other issues have kept us from doing that.

In 2018, along with “Jeff Evans” and Rory, we started Apartment 5B: Irrational Conversations with the Cool Breezes of Anytown, USA. We did that up to the pandemic, which JE’s wife was getting ready to have a baby, so we put everything on hold and we haven’t started back up.

In July 2019, Clay Howard and I started Beeswax Vinyl & More, a podcast that explored music in a different way. Clay’s schedule didn’t allow for him to do that long. I’m exploring other options for that. I haven’t given up on it. Stay tuned.

In February of 2020, Eugene B Sims started his long-awaited podcast, Wheeler’s Dog. He does two a week, one for the general public and one for his Patreon subs. I am an “associate producer” for that show. It’s all Eug, really. But, it is on my network.

And, finally, in July of this year, my “Kousins” Gary and Marvin and I started Asylum: The Tales from the Devereaux Diaries Podcast. We talk music but almost exclusively about our favorite band, KISS.

Also, I have produced a lot of podcasts for companies and clients. Forsyth Magazines, Blue Door Group, Phoenix Rising, Ring the Bell Realty, Center for Private Business, Dr. Shawn Ricks, and more are on the way in the next few months.

So, podcasting is now in my blood. I have done it so long and for so many that I’ve been christened, “The Podfather” and I love that title. I run with it and will continue to do so. So, to all my podcasting co-horts, whether they’re mine or not, to those in the community that do podcasts that I’m not part of but may have been inspired by (so I’ve been told) and to the people who listen to them, HAPPY INTERNATIONAL PODCAST DAY!!!!!

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“I think podcasting is here to stay.” – Adam Scott

A Glimpse of What Once Was or: What’s One More Than a Trifecta?

10 Monday Aug 2020

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Salutations™!!TLDNetwork

I’m giving you a break from videos today. I don’t know if it’s a break or not, though. I mean, I’d just as soon watch videos than to read a bunch of words. Then again, I hate reading, so… Anywhat! Today I got to do something that was almost reminiscent of the way things were back in late February/early March. I produced four podcasts. All of them were for The Less Desirables Network, but not all of them were recorded today. That’s okay, though. It was some semblance of “normalcy.”

So, what did I produce? I recorded and produced a new episode of The Man Who Ate the Town and The Beer Dads. I “produced” which means published in this case the latest non-Patreon episode of Wheeler’s Dog and put together/produced one for Fan Interference in which Ty basically said goodbye to that old name for the Washington Football Team. I felt good about it. I got work done. That helps the mind, for sure.

Listen to the episode of:

TMWATT here.
The Beer Dads here.
Wheeler’s Dog here.
Fan Interference here.

Thank you in advance for listening. We will have new episodes of The Less Desirables and Asylum: The Tales of the Devereaux Diaries Podcast later this week.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“I consume a lot of podcasts. I’m a voracious podcast consumer.” – Paul F. Tompkins

When It Comes Crashing Down or: A Reopening

01 Wednesday Jul 2020

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Salutations™!!

Today, I “officially” reopened The Less Desirables Studios in The Lab at Industry Hill for podcast recordings. Now, that being said I won’t be doing everything in that studio right away. Really, I’m only opening it so I can accommodate the clients that need a place for in-person podcasting. Some of my podcasts, ones that I host, will be done, some from my home, and some from the studio.

I haven’t talked much about this part, but I got my EIDL from the government and I have spent a good bit of it on new equipment, new computers, new processes and soon, a new table from which we do podcasting. I’m also going to reorganize the studio space, creating a new editing room and separate recording space.

The recording space will be in the same room that the podcasts are recorded, now. The editing room will be in a different spot in my suite, which I used to call “my office.” I never have used it as an office as I tended to do everything from the studio. The closest it has come to being an office is that the printer and internet router (thank you X1 Communications) are in there. But, it will be rearranged and used more effectively.

For the third office in the suite, I have to figure out what to use it for. My initial plan was for video. I don’t know about that now. We talked about turning it into a “set” for a revival of Sipping NC: The Art of Drinking but as of now, that whole idea is on permanent hold. The big room, I hope to figure something to do with that, too, but I am less interested in filling that room as it ties the whole thing together.

Now, speaking of Sipping NC and the “big room,” I went in yesterday to let in the cleaners that I had come in to help me prepare and when I walked in the door, I noticed a mess. It seems the top shelf of my liquor wall that held the bottles and cans Jordan Keiper and I had collected from the libation makers on the SNC show, collapsed and the bottles (save one wine bottle) had toppled to the floor. In doing so, I lost two bottles, a Bedlam Vodka bottle and a Covington Sweet Potato Vodka bottle had both shattered and the alcohol had soaked into the carpet. There were several other bottles that had fallen but none of them broke. Oddly enough, two of the bottles had lost their corked caps. That isn’t the odd part. The odd part is, I never found them. Nowhere. Gone. Disappeared.

I looked around and in the “office” I noticed a bag of ketchup and mustard packets had been gnawed to shreds by a rat or mouse or something. We have had a problem with those in the last little bit (but we have an exterminator that has planted bait traps). My only thought is that perhaps the rodent liked the smell of the alcohol and took them off somewhere to “have a party.” I don’t know, but it’s funny to think of it.

So, that was my adventure yesterday. I have clients scheduled for next week. Yay me! We’ll see where this new adventure takes me. Thanks for indulging me in my story.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“I don’t think anybody can create in a space where they don’t feel comfortable.” – Amy Sherald

Now Normal Chronicles or: The Non-Video Edition

05 Tuesday May 2020

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Salutations™!!

Yesterday was an epic day for podcasting for me. I recorded The Man Who Ate the Town (listen here), The Less Desirables (releasing tomorrow), Beeswax Vinyl & More (listen here) and The Beer Dads (listen here). Then, I “produced” Wheeler’s Dog today. Thursday I will do Fan Interference. So, other than Apartment 5B and Sipping NC: The Art of Drinking, all of the TLD Network shows have been or will be released this week.

TLDNetwork

That’s a good week. I figured I’d give you a break from videos today since my biggest complaint has been the lack of anything happening.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Zoom sponsored by Bull’s Tavern!” – TLD Network

Now Normal Chronicles or: Whatever…

15 Wednesday Apr 2020

Posted by in The Less Desirables Network, Video

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Salutations™!!

It’s getting harder to keep up with dates. I usually know what the day of the week is but the dates are throwing me off. Probably because I’m doing the same thing almost every day. Not all day, just my morning routine is truly a routine. It’s been a long time since I’ve had an actual morning routine. And even at that, it’s not all that routine. I know that sounds kind of silly but it’s true.

Wednesdays throw me off right now. That’s usually, along with Monday, my busy days. But, although we release them on Wednesdays, we are recording TLD on Mondays right now. It’s just easier to go in one day a week right now as opposed to scattering them over days. Now, I still went in because I recorded Fan Interference, via Zoom (sponsored by Bull’s Tavern), of course. If I’m going to make money, I’m going in.

Anywhat! Today is the 54th anniversary of The Rolling Stones’ Aftermath album and the 46th anniversary of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Second Helping album. Because I value the UK versions of Stones and Beatles albums, I’m going with this because I don’t pass on a good Tesla video. Enjoy!

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“‘Things are different today,’ I hear ev’ry mother say. Cooking fresh food for a husband’s just a drag. So she buys an instant cake and she burns her frozen steak and goes running for the shelter of a mother’s little helper. And two help her on her way, get her through her busy day.” – “Mother’s Little Helper” (Jagger/Richards)