Dave Bidini is a very interesting individual and one hell of a storyteller. Despite having a cold, Dave drops by the Spoke Club studio for Episode 46 to share the songs that make his skin vibrate.

He tells some unbelievable stories about Stompin’ Tom Connors wearing disguises to Rheostatics gigs, what it was like to record with Jimmy Page’s amp and Bob Marley’s ghost in the Bahamas, and what plays in the jukebox at Dave’s home.
 

Bidini’s playlist:

Queen – Love of My Life

Small Faces – Afterglow

Bikini Kill – New Radio

Propogandhi – Call Before You Dig

Dusty Springfield – You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me

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Up-and-coming indie singer songwriter Shawn William Clarke joins me in downtown Toronto for No Sleep ’til Sudbury episode 45 with the songs that make his skin vibrate.

Shawn and I talk about the subtle eeriness of Supertramp, Dylan’s Sinatra turn, mysterious Scottish band The Blue Nile, the record shop scene in Cologne, the importance of album track listing, and the pros and cons of today’s music industry.
 

Clarke’s playlist:

Supertramp – School

Miles Davis – In A Silent Way

Bob Dylan – Ballad in Plain D

The Blue Nile – The Downtown Lights

Land of Talk – This Time

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Back for his No Sleep ’til Sudbury sophomore turn from the UK is my pal Joel McIver, one of my favourite writers and one hell of a good man. Joel proposed an idea for his second episode which I instantly liked – songs he believes will still be popular 100 years from now.

Some of these song selections perplexed me when I first saw Joel’s list, but the man’s rationale stands up and it makes for some great discussion. We talk about the childish filth found in some Beatles lyrics (!), what it means to be a ‘git’, the curious popularity of the Foo Fighters, and the perceived future of heavy metal and popular music in general. Enjoy!
 

McIver’s playlist:

The Beatles – Back in the USSR

Black Sabbath – War Pigs

David Bowie – Changes

Fairport Convention – Come All Ye

Foo Fighters – Times Like These

Ice T – New Jack Hustler

Elvis Presley – That’s All Right Mama

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Former Lowest of the Low guitarist Stephen Stanley returns to the studio following his NSTS Xmas episode with a whole new batch of songs.

We talk about our views on Clapton, what the backstage area is like at the Horseshoe Tavern, the nostalgic power of KISS, seated versus standing at a rock show, American rock music’s sweet spot, and the peculiar production techniques used to motivate Clash guitarist Mick Jones.
 

Stanley’s Playlist:

Johnny Mathis – Moon River

Eric Clapton – I Shot The Sheriff

KISS – Detroit Rock City

Tom Petty – Shadow of a Doubt

The Clash – Spanish Bombs

Bob Dylan – Simple Twist of Fate

Shawn William Clarke – In Conversation

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Happy New Year, friends. We’re back at it with none other than drum colossus Mike Portnoy, formerly of Dream Theater and now playing with rock supergroup Sons of Apollo.

Mike is an elite musician, widely considered to be one of greatest drummers in the world. He’s also a great guy and a super guest. During our conversation we geek out on Bowie, KISS, and Radiohead, and he shares his experiences playing drums for Twisted Sister, his theory about Rush fans, the recent spate of rock and roll deaths, and how Dream Theater was like a musical Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup.
 

Portnoy’s playlist:

The Beatles – A Day in the Life

The Who – We’re Not Gonna Take It/See Me Feel Me/Listening To You

David Bowie – Space Oddity

Yes – Heart of the Sunrise

Radiohead – Paranoid Android

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Alright, we’re doing something a little different tonight. Episode 41 is a previously unreleased, impromptu episode recorded during a night of drinking with my neighbour and close friend, mister Johnny Belton. The episode was recorded in early 2017 and shelved, but I decided recently it would be fun to put out there. We had a lot of fun doing it, so I thought the listenership may enjoy this organic, more informal version of NSTS. And hey – it’s Christmas.

On that topic, this will be the last episode to air before the holiday break – NSTS will return Tuesday, January 9 with a very well-known rock star guest.

I wish you the very best the holiday season can bring my friends, and I thank you sincerely for listening. Happy holidays!
 

Belton’s playlist:

Max Webster – The Party

Soul Asylum – Misery

Bruce Springsteen – Tenth Avenue Freeze Out

The Clash – Train in Vain

Frank Zappa – Why Does It Hurt When I Pee?

Living Color – Cult of Personality

The Rolling Stones – Waiting on a Friend

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Former Lowest of the Low frontman Stephen Stanley joins me on Episode 40 to do a Christmas edition of No Sleep ’til Sudbury. We chat about his new group The Stephen Stanley Band and their excellent new record Jimmy & The Moon, and then we get into the holiday tunes that make his skin vibrate.

Also discussed: the ironic fact that many Christmas songs were in fact written by Jewish composers, the amazing career of Darlene Love, and how Paul McCartney’s “Wonderful Christmastime” continues to be reviled year after year. Poor Macca.

Stanley’s playlist:

Andy Williams – Sweet Little Jesus Boy

Barbra Streisand – The Christmas Song

Bob Dylan – Do You Hear What I Hear

Elvis Presley – Holly Leaves and Christmas Trees

John Denver – Aspenglow

Ray Coniff Singers – Jolly Old St Nick Medley

Sandler & Young – Hark The Herald Angels Sing

Darlene Love – Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)

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Joining me on the show this week is author and radio & television host of Living Fearlessly Lisa McDonald, who brings in all manner of musical genres with her No Sleep ’til Sudbury skin vibration playlist.

We chat about Led Zeppelin drum samples, the Radiohead Toronto stage collapse disaster (she was there), and lovely “Mimi on the Beach” composer Jane Siberry. All this in less than 25 minutes – Lisa could have brought in a second playlist!

Oh, and the name we can’t come up with at the beginning of the program? It’s Andrew Lloyd Webber.
 

McDonald’s playlist:

Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman – Time To Say Goodbye

Enigma – Return to Innocence

Tori Amos – A Sorta Fairytale

Radiohead – High & Dry

Jane Siberry – Love is Everything

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Everyone’s favourite curmudgeon Chris ‘The Pink Chief’ Long calls into the show – not to talk about songs that make his skin vibrate, but to share his view of the world from the DJ booth. He gets a pass for flouting the show format though, because music is still the theme, and the stories he tells about the people he’s interacted with as a DJ are so sad, bewildering, and compelling. People may open up to the bartender, but according to Long, they REALLY open up to the guy responsible for their soundtrack for the evening.

And in some cases, pull the odd gun on him.

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If you’re a Canadian music fan of my vintage, you’ll surely remember The Spoons and Honeymoon Suite. Rob Preuss played keyboards in both those bands, and he tells some great stories from those days in Episode 37 of No Sleep ’til Sudbury.

He joined The Spoons when he was only 15 (!), went on to Honeymoon Suite from there, and then later became the associate musical director for Broadway production Mamma Mia, and also played some piano in the Phantom of the Opera orchestra pit. During our conversation he stays true to the basic format of the show, talking about the songs that have made his skin vibrate over the course of his life and why. We also discuss our mutual childhood fondness for David Cassidy. Great guest, great chat.

Preuss’ playlist:

Honeymoon Suite – Bad Attitude

Billy Joel – Scenes From An Italian Restaurant

Helen Reddy – Angie Baby

Genesis – Deep in the Motherlode

The Partridge Family – Summer Days

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