Friday, July 27, 2018

Episode #19! The Monkees and Comic Book Connections! Writer Don Glut Interview! "Salesman" Re-Mix!

Yet another blockbuster episode!

None other than mighty Mike Nesmith starts the show, giving us a sensational shout-out!

Then we swing right into an in-depth discussion of the many Monkees/comic book connections! Not just in print, but you'll find out which superhero-themed actors have a relationship to the guys, the show, and their music! You'll be surprised, as comics fans and experts Al and Alan give you the low-down on the many funny-book facts!

NEXT-Famed comics and SF and comics writer (and producer and movie-maker and musician) Don Glut calls in, with an exclusive interview! Don not only has written for many of the world's most popular comic books and animated TV shows, but he was also part of the Nez-sponsored late-60s band The Penny Arkade! We get all the inside tidbits from Don!

You'll then be treated to a very rare 1971 version of "Salesman," a song written by the Penny Arkade's own Mike Smith! 

Also included is a hot new re-mix of the Monkees' version of this famed '67 song!

PLUS-Monkees agent Jodi Ritzen swings in, with the very latest (and greatest) breaking news!

AND-Our fabulous 3rd contest, with more Monkees swag up for grabs than ever before! Listen to hear what you can win and how you can win it!

PLUS-The usual jokes, laughs, music, mirth, sounds, and fun! More powerful than a locomotive! Or, at least the last train to Clarksville!

So what are ya waiting for? Click below to listen now, or download here (or on your phone), or directly from SoundCloud, iTunes, iHeart Radio, or Google Play!



Above: My own illustrated feature for BACK ISSUE! magazine! Just a
few of the many Monkees/comics connections you'll hear discussed!


Above: Two examples of the 60s Dell MONKEES comic book!
This series actually ran longer than the band's TV show on NBC!

Above: A look at all the MONKEES Dell covers!
From the fabulous  MONKEES COLLECTIBLES
PRICE GUIDE book!

Above: A peek inside of an early issue, with nice art by Jose Delbo!


Above: It's me (right) with comics artist Jose Delbo
himself, in a pic taken at s 2018 comics convention!

Above: Jack "King" Kirby, the artistic co-creator of almost all of Marvel Comics'
main superheroes, drew the above crowded panel, from Marvel's comedy mag,
NOT BRAND ECHH, in 1967! Click here to see much more!

Above: MAD magazine's own Jack Davis drew
this cover (and the insane interiors, too) for this
1967 paperback book!

Above: More proof ya need? Davy and Mike are handed
two then-current issues of DC Comics superhero books, for a
panicked publicity shot in '66!

Above: A Monkees HEAD comic that never was!
This is a modern "what if" imagining by 
Wayne Shellabarger, produced for a
special showing of the '68 film!

Above: Our guest, Don Glut, famed writer,
musician, producer, and movie-maker! Hear Don
talk about working with his band Penny Arkade
and Mike Nesmith!

Above: Don (far left), and the late-60s band, Penny
Arkade! Don talks about the group, Mike's involvement,
fellow member Craig Smith (author of "Salesman"), and
so much more!

Above: Mike holds court with the Arkade, in this
candid '67 shot!

Above: A '67 teen mag gives a recount of Mike's
work with the Penny Arcade! Thanks to the
Monkees Live Almanac page for this!


Above: The Arkade's "Not The Freeze" CD release,
from the fine folks at Sundazed! Recommended!

Above: A wonderful new book on the Arkade's
main man, Craig Smith! His is a long, odd (and
sometimes sad) story. Highly recommended!

Above: A look inside the above facinating book!

Above: Craig Smith (far right) as part of
THE HAPPENERS, a 1965 MONKEES-like
show that never made it. Get a
taste of it here!


Find out about Don's latest doings here!

Above: The mass of Monkees merch you could win in our big 3rd contest!
Listen in to find out how!







Wednesday, May 23, 2018

Episode #18! Hank Cicalo Interview! Recording Engineer for The Monkees! Plus--What if the Monkees Never Booted Kirshner?

Swing into sizzling summer action, as we celebrate the fabulous 51st anniversary of the halcyon and historical HEADQUARTERS album!

First up-Alan and Al play a great game of "what if?" What if the Monkees never shook off Don Kirshner? How would that work? What would all the later albums sound like? What would HEADQUARTERS consist of? How would this affect concerts? Chart hits? How could Mike ever work successfully with Donnie? Lots of fun, discussing "coulda/shoulda been" scenarios!

ALSO-Hear our exclusive new interview with the man who recorded HEADQUARTERS (and so many other bits of Monkees music), engineer Hank Cicalo! Hank "ran the board" for the HQ album, and has a clear memory of working with the guys! Hear about the challenges, the risks, and the pressures, of being part of the newly-independent Monkees music!

NEXT-Monkees agent and event organizer Jodi Ritzen calls us, with the latest news on the Micky and Mike tour, and Monkees meet-and-greet happenings!

PLUS-A great re-mix of the chart-topping "I'm a Believer!" You can't miss this! 

AND-(Can ya stand even more?) We announce our latest TPCHC contest! Win even more rare 60s treasures! Hear how! It's easy!

Plus-Music! Mirth! Madness! More you can want?

So what are ya waiting for? Click below to listen now, or download here (or on your phone), or directly from SoundCloud, iTunes, iHeart Radio, or Google Play!




Above: We all know the story. Upset with the iron-hand handling from  Don Kirshner,
Mike and the band really wanted out. Just look at how happy Nez is in the above pic.


Above: You gotta love Donnie's adoring praise for "his boys." When not
being interviewed, he had somewhat different (and very limiting) views
of the boys...


Above: Free at last! The band celebrates its independence, and
the recording of their did-it-ourselves HEADQUARTERS
album! Note Hank as "the Monkee in the middle!"


Above: The fascinating story of "No Time!"


Above two pics: Mike is flanked by Hank, during the
recording of WICHITA TRAIN WHISTLE SINGS
in 1967!



Above: Hank (center) in the studio with James Taylor and Carole King,
recording the famed TAPESTY album!



Above: Hank is sitting between Boyce and Hart, two
songwriters the Monkees used before and after the
Kirshner break!



Above: Hank in more recent times, enjoying a toast to
a long and successful career!


Wanna hear Alan and Al have another discussion on how HEADQUARTERS coulda
been different? Click here to listen in on this torrid 2016 confab!


Want the very latest about the Micky and Mike tour? Or the
up-to-date scoops on Monkees meet-and-greets? Hear Jodi Ritzen
on this very episode, and click herefor even more awesome info!



Above three images: Alan (left) and Al (right) recording this very epic episode! 



Above three pics: Alan models the new lot of loot you could win!
Rare 80s fanzines! A super-rare HERE NO EVIL sticker! An
actual 1968 copy of MONKEES SPECTACULAR #16!

Above four images: A peek inside that colossal copy of MONKEES SPEC!
Listen to this very episode to learn how it can be yours!







Wednesday, April 18, 2018

Episode #17! Another Look at HERE NO EVIL! Producer Jim Johnson Interview! New Re-Mix of "P.O. Box 9847!" Monkees News! More!

We swing back into action with a fun new episode!

We take another look at the famed 1992 Monkees tribute CD, HERE NO EVIL (first covered in episode 11 right here), complete with an exclusive new interview with the creator and producer of the CD, Jim Johnson! Jim talks about his long-lived love for the Monkees, the songs picked to tribute, and the makings of this early-90s masterpiece!

We spotlight "Tomorrow's Gonna Be Another Day" from the HNE CD, with a special focus on the late (but forever great) Larry Joe Miller!

PLUS-Hear a great rockin' re-mix of "P.O. Box 9847!" Guaranteed-you've never heard it like this before!

AND-Monkees event organizer and agent Jodi Ritzen chimes in with the very latest news on Monkees happenings that may be coming to your town!

BONUS-We announce the wonderful winner of our first ever colossal contest! Is it you?

Add the usually commentary, fun, laughs, and music, and you've got another winning episode in your hot little hands!

So what are you waiting for? Click below to listen now, or download right here, or on your iPhone, or directly from SoundCloud or iTunes!





Above there images: The cover and liner notes from the fabulous
HERE NO EVIL Monkees tribute CD! Hear Jim Johnson reveal
what it took to put this daring disc together, back in the
early 90s!


Above: The late Larry Joe Miller, who performed "Tomorrow's Gonna Be Another Day"
on the tribute disc! Find out more about this remarkable rockabilly artist,
by going over here!


Above: At long last! Learn who is the lucky winner of the lustrous loot seen
above! We announce the wondrous winner of our first contest in this very
episode! Remember- It's not over! Even more rare Monkees swag is on the line,
so keep an ear close to this very podcast!


Above three images: We speak to Jodi Ritzen once more,
as we get the low-down on Micky's solo shows,
Monkees meet-and-greets, and the very latest on the
Mike and Micky shows! Go here for more
up-to-date info!


Above: In this epic episode, Al states he has actual Micky Dolenz hair
in storage! Can it be true?!

Above: What other podcast gives you
impressions of both Adam West and
Jerry Lewis? You're welcome.