Friends and Music with Brian Doherty

A video-audio rendition of this podcast is available on my Youtube channel here: UCVVqtfTwNVg590TbfndMR_Q
Today’s guest is bassist Graham Maby. His association with British musician Joe Jackson began in 1973 when they became members of a local Portsmouth cover band. Five years later Jackson’s solo recording career took off, with Graham’s bass playing front and center on albums like Look Sharp! and I’m the Man. Jackson’s biggest-selling album came in 1982, with the million-selling Night and Day. The success of the album firmly established Jackson as an artist and Maby’s reputation as a versatile bass player.
Since 1983, Graham has lived in the USA. During that time, as well as working on numerous albums and tours with Jackson, he has recorded and performed live with many different artists, among them: Marshall Crenshaw, Natalie Merchant, Jon Bon Jovi, Bruce Springsteen, Joan Baez, Ian Hunter, Freedy Johnston, They Might Be Giants, Henry Lee Summer, the Silos, Graham Parker, Darden Smith, Dar Williams, Garland Jeffreys, Joy Askew, and Regina Spektor.

Graham Maby was born on September 1, 1952 and grew up in the small English south coast town of Gosport, near Portsmouth. His musical “awakening” happened at age ten when he heard the Beatles’ first single “Love Me Do” on the radio. Six years later he taught himself to play guitar, then bass.
His association with British musician Joe Jackson began in 1973 when they became members of a local Portsmouth cover band. Five years later Jackson’s solo recording career took off, with Graham’s bass playing front and center on albums like Look Sharp! and I’m the Man. Jackson’s biggest-selling album came in 1982, with the million-selling Night and Day. The success of the album firmly established Jackson as an artist and Maby’s reputation as a versatile bass player.
Since 1983, Graham has lived in the USA. During that time, as well as working on numerous albums and tours with Jackson, he has recorded and performed live with many different artists, among them: Marshall Crenshaw, Natalie Merchant, Jon Bon Jovi, Bruce Springsteen, Joan Baez, Ian Hunter, Freedy Johnston, They Might Be Giants, Henry Lee Summer, the Silos, Graham Parker, Darden Smith, Dar Williams, Garland Jeffreys, Joy Askew, and Regina Spektor.
Graham co-produced Freedy Johnston’s breakthrough album Can You Fly in 1992, and has had small roles in two major movies, Peggy Sue Got Married (1986) and The Joker (2019).
He has two children, Claire and Pierce, and now lives with his third wife, Maureen, on Long Island.

Today’s guest is singer/songwriter Freedy Johnston. Freedy’s one of those rare singer-songwriters who counts critics among his biggest fans — and whose heroes consider him a peer. In 1994 Rolling Stone named Johnston the ‘Songwriter of the Year’, describing him as “A master storyteller, (who) sketches out full-blown tragedies in a few poetic lines, and he joins that elite cadre of songwriters—Bob Dylan, Neil Young, and Elvis Costello.

In this episode I chat with guitarist John Platania about his work with Van Morrison

This is Stephan Galfas’ FIRST interview! Stephan Galfas has worked with hundreds of artists, spanning over 5 decades, including Meat Loaf, The Allman Brothers, John Waite, and Kool and The Gang, to name only a few. He was also the owner of the House of Music in West Orange, NJ, a recording studio where dozens of classic albums were made.
One such album Stephan produced at the House of Music was Tasty by the Good Rats. I first saw the Good Rats in the late 70’s at the Asbury Park Convention Center. They were the opening act and on a bill with Dicky Betts and Eddie Money. At first glance, they were an odd band with a caveman look. The lead singer sported gym shorts and wore knee high tube socks. Most of the set he swung a baseball bat and sometimes smashed a metal garbage can with the bat. The rest of the band looked like they’d surely be on a modern-day no fly list. They played their asses off and were beyond entertaining. They exuded humor and irony. Their songs were a twisted mix of different genres, and reminiscent of KISS or Black Sabbath, with a touch of George Gershwin thrown in. Their set was tight, well polished. Background vocals were impeccable, in tune, well- rehearsed, with intricate arrangements and harmonies. These guys were nothing short of total pros and played a 30 minute set with intent to slay the audience. And that they did. Soon after, I discovered that, although heralding from Long Island, NY, they were popular staples in the bars in northern New Jersey, near my hometown of Randolph. I would go on to see them live many times, mostly at The Showplace, in Dover, NJ where they were regulars. They never disappointed and I’ve been a serious fan ever since.
From the very first moment that Stephan and I spoke together, it was all Good Rats. It seemed that after many years, he needed an outlet and to be heard about the Good Rats. The faucet opened on how they worked together, and how they produced a body of such unique albums of songs. From my end, my head was swimming with questions that my mouth couldn’t speak fast enough. I simply had too many. The conversation you’re about to hear is a bit long, yet I couldn’t justify editing it into 2 separate parts, as the interview flowed naturally from one point to the next. I hope you enjoy it. Let’s listen in.

Brad celebrated his 50th year of his first band gig this past June with 4,321 documented live shows. Brad is still drumming and songwriting with his band The Handcuffs who will be releasing their fourth album this year with no plans to retire. Brad has also been drumming for The Romantics for the past sixteen years and they call him the second original drummer with now being with the band almost three times as long as original drummer, Jimmy Marinos. Brad grew up in mid state Illinois in Pekin and Peoria, IL before moving to Champaign, IL with his band Screams, in late 1976. He details his varied and exciting career throughout our conversation. I want to welcome Brad to the show.
Screams were signed in late 1978 and they released their debut album in 1979 on the short lived record label, Infinity/MCA. Screams toured with Van Halen for four months before heading to England to headline their own tour. In Brad's lengthy fifty career he has shared concert bills with hundreds of acts such as The Ramones, Cheap Trick, The Clash, Billy Idol, Psychedelic Furs, Blondie, B-52's, The Raspberries, Iggy Pop, on and on. Brad's next band, The Elvis Brothers released two albums on Portrait/CBS in the golden era of '80s MTV and also an independent album in 1992. From there he formed Big Hello with three albums and they were the darlings of the early IPO festivals in Los Angeles. Brad and his wife Chloe continued on to The Handcuffs who continue to perform live and release critically acclaimed albums. Brad is a self taught drummer who was drawn to the drumming style of Keith Moon from purchasing The Who single at the time, "I Can See For Miles". Young Brad inhaled any and everything by Moon and The Who along with other drum heroes like Ginger Baker, Ringo and John Bonham to name a few. Brad has been drum stick twirling, drum stick bouncing and drumming on many recording sessions and shows ever since. With a dozen albums released in his lengthy career, he has performed in thirteen countries and thousands of shows, Brad is now writing his book of his nonstop journey in rock and roll with more stories than you can shake a drumstick at. Meeting along the way, Bob Dylan, David Bowie, Pete Townshend, Carl Perkins, Charlie Watts and too many to name. Brad also sat in on drums a few years ago as guest drummer with The Beach Boys and The Bangles along with many other experiences which will be in his book. See you all in 2021.

My guest today is Greg Skaff. A native of Wichita, Kansas, Greg is a NYC-based jazz guitarist and composer whose skills and reputation place him among the premier practitioners of his craft. After moving to New York in the early 1980s, Skaff’s first professional gig was with the legendary Stanley Turrentine. The list of luminaries who have tapped Skaff for his fretwork includes Ron Carter, Bobby Watson, Freddie Hubbard, David Hazeltine, Martha Wash, and many others. With his latest CD release “Soulmation,” one reviewer reports that Greg Skaff reaches new heights as a guitarist and composer. Slated for late 2020 release, is a trio recording that finds Skaff in the company of two music legends - bassist Ron Carter and drummer “Tootie” Heath. Under normal circumstances, you can hear Greg’s guitar playing at the Broadway musical Wicked, where he’s manned the guitar chair since it opened in 2003. We welcome Greg to the show.

My guest today is Gurf Morlix. Gurf is an Austin- based guitar player, composer and record producer who has worked with Warren Zevon, Lucinda Williams, Blaze Foley, and Michael Penn, among many others. In this episode, Gurf tells us about his upbringing in Buffalo, NY and his fateful decision one day to choose the city of Austin over the city of Boston. This led him down the vast roadway of the music industry as a top guitarist, producer, and songwriter. Among other things, we chat about his passion to create songs as if each is an individual piece of physical art. We also find out how he feels about the perfect blend of country and rock woven into his guitar skills. Gurf recounts his days with Lucinda Williams and how he produced her records, as well as exactly how the band got the final take of the song Change The Locks. It was a great pleasure to speak with Gurf and it was my honor to have him as my guest on the show. I hope you enjoy!

My guest today is Colette Hebert. Colette is a Music Educator, Music Director, Arts Advocate and Grant Writer. She has served as a choir director, band director, vocal and piano instructor and drum circle facilitator. She has also presented in front of Senate members on “Why Music? Why We Need Music Education in Our Schools.” She is a featured journalist and contributes to a number of publications including USA Today. Colette hosts a podcast called, “Colette’s Music Hour,” where she interviews musicians, music educators and teachers and arts advocates. You can listen to her podcast on your favorite platform. Let’s welcome Colette!

My guest today is JD Foster. JD Foster is an international music producer and multi-instrumentalist who has received critical acclaim across genres. From his early Dwight Yokam days through to his collaborations with Marc Ribot, Patti Griffin, Calexico, Lucinda Williams, Green on Red, The Silos, Il Pan Del Diavolo, and many more, Foster continues to explore all avenues of music and all variety of artistry.
In this show, JD and I talk about how he began in the music business in Gainsville and ended up in Los Angeles in Dwight Yokam’s band. We also chat about his work as a record producer and songwriter. We touch upon the time he and I were roommates in Gainsville, Florida while recording a record with The Silos. Years back, I wrote about my experiences during these recording sessions, but this is the first time JD and I go on record together. Coincidently, it’s been exactly 30 years since those Silos sessions. At the beginning of this episode, JD and I decided to leave in some of our pre interview conversation, so you’ll hear us banter a bit before we get the meat and potatoes. It was great to reunite with JD and I hope you enjoy listening as much as I enjoyed our conversation!

My guest today is Marshall Toppo. Marshall Marshall Toppo is a professional bass player, arranger, producer and educator in the NY area. He has recorded and produced many original artists, created educational music, written film scores and edited audio for television, radio and internet. When not involved in music, he can be found researching craft beers from around the world. I’m happy to report that I’ve personally joined Marshall on many of these craft beer research missions, and that at this time, we still need more field research!
During this show, we hear about Marshall’s long and sustained career in the music business as both a music educator and a music professional, and what it’s like to juggle tasks while constantly collaborating with others in the business. I hope you enjoy!

My guest today is John Siket. John is a music producer, recording engineer, and mixer. He is best known for his work with Sonic Youth, Phish, Yo La Tengo, Dave Matthews Band, Blonde Redhead, Fountains of Wayne, Moe, Peter Murphy, and Freedy Johnston. Did you know there’s even a Phish recording named after John, entitled The Siket Disc? We discussed how John got into the business and what keeps him going as one of today's top engineer/producers.

My guest today is musician Tony Maimone. Tony is a bassist, producer, songwriter, and owner of Studio G, a commercial recording studio in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. As a bass player, Tony has worked with Pere Ubu, Frank Black, Bob Mould, The Mekons, and They Might Be Giants, just to name a few. It was with They Might Be Giants that I first met Tony. In this episode, Tony weaves his tale of how he began his career in Cleveland, and worked his way to New York to become one of the premier bass players of our time. We welcome Tony to the show.