Coming soon to a venue near you...

...providing you live in Nottingham of course!

I posted on Facebook earlier today the hypothetical question (I used the word 'hypothetical' quite a lot because 'literally' has been taken) about whether I should stage my own gigs. What happened next made me decide once and for all to do it, so as soon as I can get it organised I am going to bring you The Sunday Alternative Live!

The premise is simple:

1- Sunday evening, once a month.

2- Four or five bands/artists

3- All individual sets filmed for The Sunday Alternative YouTube channel.

4- All individual sets recorded for the audio podcast or special editions.

(In the case of 3 and 4, this will be on a joint-ownership basis. I am allowed to upload and broadcast on the podcast and you are free to sell the audio by download/CD/cassette/other format yet to be invented and do what you like with the video).

5- Moderate door charge of maybe £2 or £3. This will be divided equally between the acts as artists should be paid. An 'act' is defined as however many people appear on stage; a solo artist with a guitar is an 'act' and so is a twenty piece band.

6- Acts share the responsibility of promotion on their various social media platforms, especially as due to my fractious relationship with those who preach live music gigs without going to them, it isn't likely to crop up in any picks of the week. The more people through the door, the more door takings, the more door takings, the more you leave with in your pocket.

All I need now is a venue.

Stay tuned to @SundayAlt and @SteveOliver76 (and the Facebook pages /The SundayAlternative and /SteveOliverOfficial) for details.

The Sunday Alternative Podcast #42

(Some problems with my microphone but you don't tune in for me do you?)

Evan Stone and The Translucent Ham Sandwich Band 'Censor Me'
The Kut 'I Want You Maniac'
The Sherwins 'Insane'
Tony Volker 'Kingdom of the Beasts'
Goatblood 'Human Waste Disposal'
Cold Specks 'Living Signs'
Embrace of Thorns 'Darkness Impenetrable'
Soft Picasso 'Blue Eyed Boy'
Anda Volley 'Stop Your Clock'
Conclave 'Footprints in Blood'

This podcast can be downloaded from here.

Please consider making a donation using the PayPal button above, this will mean that the podcast remains free to all and will also help me create other free online entertainment. I am also trying to raise funds to start making this podcast in a studio with live bands.

The Sunday Alternative bag is available now. All money goes into the fund to create entertainment that will be made available for free. They are £6 (including postage in the UK, If I get any overseas orders I'll have to have a rethink) and all you have to do is hit the PayPal button, donate £6 (or more if you're feeling generous), and then email me with BAG in the subject line and your name and postal address in the email body.

Previously heard on the podcast, this is the video for 'Breaking Down' by KLOGR

The Sunday Alternative Podcast #41

The Valkarys 'Early Verve'
Defy All Reason 'Midnight Train'
Feanor Omega 'Waiting'
Death Party UK 'Mark of the Vampire'
The Jade Assembly 'One Last Time'
Lunar Park 'Out of the Blue'
Hannah in the Wars 'Sweet Release'
Kosoti 'Gone Too Far'
Venrez 'Children of the Drones'
Lorna 'Wayne Mills'

This podcast can be downloaded from here.

Please consider making a donation using the PayPal button above, this will mean that the podcast remains free to all and will also help me create other free online entertainment. I am also trying to raise funds to start making this podcast in a studio with live bands.

The Sunday Alternative Podcast #40

John Hardy 'Growing Up'
Flashfires 'Shy'
Duke Garwood 'Disco Lights'
Blackning 'Thy Will Be Done'
Panic Island 'Temples'
Postcards From Jeff 'Suburban Girl'
Built On Stilts 'Into The Night'
Chris Duncan 'Here To There'
Old Thunder 'Burnt Bone Garland'
Twilight Fauna 'Blood From Stone'

This podcast can be downloaded from here.

Please consider making a donation using the PayPal button above, this will mean that the podcast remains free to all and will also help me create other free online entertainment. I am also trying to raise funds to start making this podcast in a studio with live bands.

The Sunday Alternative Podcast #39

Funerarly Bell 'Afterlife On Earth'
The Reveurs 'Take A Bow'
Teddybears 'What's Your Problem?'
Paganland 'Fatherland'
Sugarmen 'Dirt'
Pantommind 'Lost Lullaby'
Rebeka 'Stars'
Antony Venneri 'Lucky Star'

This podcast can be downloaded from here.

Please consider making a donation using the PayPal button above, this will mean that the podcast remains free to all and will also help me create other free online entertainment. I am also trying to raise funds to start making this podcast in a studio with live bands.

The Sunday Alternative Podcast #38

Grey Hairs 'Anxiety Dream'
Holocene 'Teenage Love'
James Stevenson 'Suzi's Problem'
Looper 'The Strangest Girl'
As December Falls 'Capture'
The Slow Readers Club 'I Saw A Ghost'
Martin Gore 'Europa Hymn'
Johnny Marr 'I Feel You'

This podcast can be downloaded from here.

Please consider making a donation using the PayPal button above, this will mean that the podcast remains free to all and will also help me create other free online entertainment. I am also trying to raise funds to start making this podcast in a studio with live bands.

The Sunday Alternative Podcast #37

UK Subs 'Sick Velveteen'
Damn Vandals 'Mad As Hell'
Exhumation 'Soul Wanderers'
Zola Jesus 'Hunger'
Milo's Planes 'Two Feet In The Crowd'
King Kartel 'Come At Me Now'


This podcast can be downloaded from here.

Please consider making a donation using the PayPal button above, this will mean that the podcast remains free to all and will also help me create other free online entertainment. I am also trying to raise funds to start making this podcast in a studio with live bands.

The Sunday Alternative Podcast #36

Back after a week off due to technical issues.

Flashfires 'Shy'
Night Falls Last 'A Call From Inferno'
The Sums 'It's You'
Following Foxes 'Almost Lost It'
Viajando 'Nothing Is Sacred'
Buck Evans 'Screaming'

This podcast can be downloaded from here.

Please consider making a donation using the PayPal button above, this will mean that the podcast remains free to all and will also help me create other free online entertainment. I am also trying to raise funds to start making this podcast in a studio with live bands.

Now for some videos of artists previously heard on The Sunday Alternative...

The Sunday Alternative Podcast #35

I was using a new programme to record this so it is a little shaky in places as I still didn't quite have the hang of it.



Dienamic 'Revolution For Nothing'
Jay Woodward 'Believe The Honesty In Your Veins'
Vinnie & The Stars 'Ghosts On TV'
Wrathage 'Dark Matter'
DuBlonde 'Black Flag'
Calling All Astronauts 'Show Me Love'





This podcast can be downloaded from here.

Please consider making a donation using the PayPal button above and help fund this podcast and other free entertainment.

The Sunday Alternative Podcast #34

WhiskeyDick 'Drunk As Hell'
GraVil 'Beyond Reprieve'
Jennie Abrahamson 'Phoenix'
Mann Friday 'Sunrise Every Day'
Robb Murphy 'The Mysteries of the Heart'
Stone Circle 'Mary Celeste'

This podcast can be downloaded from here.

Please consider making a donation using the PayPal button above and help to fund this podcast and other free entertainment.

The Sunday Alternative Podcast #33

Still a few technical difficulties and a bit jumpy in places but better than no podcast at all.

Alright The Captain 'Toaster Mouse'
Venrez 'Hang The Predator'
Winterage 'Crown To The Crowds'
The Black Delta Movement 'Sleeping Pill'
Cadence Noir 'My Place'
Keto 'Change'

This podcast can be downloaded from here.

Please consider making a donation using the PayPal button above and help to fund this podcast and other free entertainment.

The Sunday Alternative Saturday Bonus Podcast

Mordred 'The Baroness'
Ash Is A Robot 'Sleep Paralysis'
Empire of Fools 'Devil Inside'
Jona Overground 'Let's Pretend'
Never A Hero 'The Crow That Follows You Home'
August Actually 'Another Fucking Love Song'

This podcast can be downloaded from here.

Please consider making a donation using the PayPal button above and help to fund this podcast and other free entertainment.

The Sunday Alternative Podcast #32

Undercover Hippy 'Boyfriend'
Fightcast 'Mercy Columns'
Hillstrom & Billy 'The Arising'
Ransom & The Subset 'Million Out Of Me'
The Permanent Smilers 'Identity Crisis'
Profane & the Sacred 'Words'

Download this podcast for your commute from here.

The Sunday Alternative Podcast #31

L7 'On My Rockin' Machine'
OneGirlOneBoy 'Butterflies'
Defy All Reason 'Bad Blood'
Black Kes 'Haunted House'
Arcane Winter 'Thirteen'
Horse Party 'Out of Sight'
The Cyon Project 'Mr Creosote'
Misk Hills Mountain Rambler 'Je Suis Charlie' (apologies for my calling him Misk Mills, tripping over my words as usual!)
Caffeine 'You Spin Me Round'

Download the podcast from here and listen on your commute.

The Sunday Alternative Podcast #30

Thunderous Jones 'Dog In The Window'
Terror Empire 'Good Friends Make The Best Enemies'
The Barr Brothers 'Come In The Water'
Duke Garwood 'Heavy Love'
Ghost Iris 'Dream Catching A Nightmare'
Apostate 'Pain Served Slow'


New video from Terror Empire, 'The Servant'.

The Sunday Alternative Podcast #29

Things are a little shaky as I seemed to have forgotten to operate the recording controls during Christmas, but the music is as good as ever.



Bride & Groom 'Auld Lang Syne'
Eamon McGrath & The Wild Dogs 'Here She Comes'
Dead Happy 'Dismiss This'
High Top Society 'Wise Wizard'
Shag Carpet Cathedral 'Bachelor's Grove'
Drives The Common Man 'Adrian's Song'

The Sunday Alternative Podcast #28

Herod 'We Are The Failure'
Carnation 'The Great Deceiver'
Condor 'Duin'
Abscession 'Where Sleeping Gods Dwell'
Riti Occulti 'Alcyone'
Beautality 'Beauty In The Beyond'

As heard on The Sunday Alternative Podcast #20, the new video from Profane and the Sacred 'From The Top'

The Sunday Alternative Podcast #27 Christmas Special

Maini Sorri 'Silent Night'
The Permanent Smilers 'My Mojo's Rocking Around The Christmas Tree'
5ft Walls At Zeros 'The Best Christmas'
Steve Blood 'The Last Christmas'
Boombox Seance 'Carol of the Bells'
Joy Shannon and the Beauty Marks 'Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)'
Men With Ven 'Worst Christmas Ever'

The Sunday Alternative Podcast #26

Emma Bladon-Jones 'Partner In Crime'
Vinnie and The Stars 'No Demons'
BOESDEATH 'You Can't Spell Funeral Without Fun'
Ciccone Ritchie 'Bang Goes Evil'
Nienor 'Cleaned At Last'
Jake Morley 'Ghostess'

The Sunday Alternative Podcast #25

Stream City 'Epoch of Revolution'
The Mithered 'The Town Where I was Born'
The Amplifires 'Life's A Gamble'
Baybo Squaybo 'Self Aware'
EB11 'System Breakdown'
Flaunt featuring Justin Jennings 'Have I Made My point?'

The Sunday Alternative Podcast #24

 Trekkah featuring Parisa 'Deception'
Old Thunder '...and Your Blood Shall Nourish This Oak'
Eastfrisian Terror 'Lapskaus'
Anda Volley 'If I Could Turn Into A Black Rose'
Kevin Hewick 'Now Is Then'
Simon Waldram 'Brushfield Spots' (live on The Sunday Alternative 26th January 2014)

The Sunday Alternative Podcast #23

Afterbirth 'Maggots In Her Smile'
Sylvia 'Wolvey, Ansty'
Vinterbris 'Ash Alight'
Reign of Khan 'Hysteria'
Kodah 'Forever'
Angie Niccals 'Mad World'

The Sunday Alternative Podcast #22

The Levellers & Bellowhead 'Just The One'
Gifted Kings 'Dead End Road'
Graveyard Ghoul 'Distasteful Hunger'
Cryptic Brood 'Infected With Death'
Morning Smoke 'Hunger'
The Aaron English Band 'X-Wing Drummer'

The Sunday Alternative Podcast #21

Jordan Klasson 'Firing Squad'
INC 'No Turning Back'
Horncrowned 'Extinction Apotheosis'
Thy Fallen Kingdom 'My Murderous Childhood'
Sparzanza 'Breathe'
Laster 'De Verste Verte Is Heir'

The Sunday Alternative Podcast #20

Flashfires 'Circus Boy'
Profane and the Sacred 'From the Top'
Reverted 'Time' (acoustic)
Close Talker 'For The Sun'
Hayden Calnin 'Comatose'
Adam Larke 'Come Outside'


As heard on podcast 14 on 21st September, this is the video for 'The Mirror Cracked From Side to Side' by Arcane Winter.

New video from Spectral Haze, 'Mercurian Mantra'

The Sunday Alternative Podcast #19

Metal Moth 'Moth To The Flame'
Hornwood Fell 'Tempesta'
Old Thunder 'Serpent Sovereign'
Spectral Haze 'Descent Through The Intravoidal'
THAW 'Afterkingdom'
Zaklon 'Dym'

The Sunday Alternative Podcast #18

Simon Waldram 'Revolt'
Dead Samaritan 'Darkness Brings The Beast'
Will the Thrill 'I Don't Answer To You'
Warhound 'Onslaught'
Collisions 'Fire Fire'
Ben Frost 'Venter' (Evian Christ Remix)



Death Is Elsewhere from Ben Frost on Vimeo.

The Sunday Alternative Podcast #17

Jake Morley 'Falter'
Swans 'Oxygen'
Betoken 'A Thirst For Knowledge'
Richie Ramone 'Entitled'
Morost 'Degression'
ssSHEENSss 'Love Will Tear Us Apart'
                      'Adios, Fuckers'

The Sunday Alternative Podcast #16

Estate 'You Are Not Alone'
Winger 'Queen Babylon'
Charlie Cunningham 'Outside Things'
Voodoo Vegas 'No More'
Widows 'Blue Tina'
Zola Jesus 'Go (Blank Sea)'

The Sunday Alternative Podcast 15

Mostly Autumn 'Dressed In Voices'
Zoojar 'On And On, For Miles'
Evil Scarecrow 'Frankingstein's Mirror'
Grey Goes Down 'Serenity'
Master Kush's Circus 'Long Way Home'
Silver Story 'Bleed'

The Sunday Alternative Podcast #14

Sparzanza 'Underneath My Skin'
Hellion Rising 'The Beast'
Arca 'Thievery'
Liars 'I'm No Gold'
Arcane Winter 'The Mirror Cracked From Side To Side'
Yann Tierson 'Meteorites'
Klogr 'Failing Crowns'

The Sunday Alternative Podcast #13

Ian Dury 'England's Glory'
The Levellers with Billy Bragg 'Hope Street'
The Barr Brothers 'Love Ain't Enough'
Blackwolf 'Kiss The Fire'
Matinee 'Missing Pieces of a Jigsaw'
Mordred 'The Baroness'
Spangle Corps 'Things Will Change'

The Sunday Alternative Podcast #12

The Levellers & Imelda May 'What A Beautiful Day'
Ruinside 'In The Arms of Bitterness'
Mannequin Pussy 'Someone Like You'
Supertonic Sound Club featuring Dave Barker 'Scheherazade'
Lisa De'Ville 'Until The End of Time'
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds 'Give Us A Kiss'
Blue Vulture 'Looking After Cats and Flowers'

The Sunday Alternative Podcast #11

Mitch Benn 'A Minutes Noise For John'
The CTRL 'You Say It Best'
Smilex 'Wasted Youth'
Hagg Farm Conspiracy 'Winter Rain'
Circle Jerks 'I Just Want Some Skank'
The Fuse 'Reload'
The Undertones 'Teenage Kicks'

The Sunday Alternative Podcast #10

Asbo Peepshow 'No Lucky Rabbit's Foot'
Musical Juice 'A Sad Affair'
Wayne Hussey 'Wither On The Vine'
Past The Fall 'Injustice'
Seven Deadly 'The Wrath'
Sparzana 'Underneath My Skin'
The Vaselines 'One Lost Year'
The Dickies 'Nights In White Satin'

I am aware that in a bid to get this recorded in one take I have mispronounced a couple of band names. No offence intended.

The Sunday Alternative Podcast #9

O Captain My Captain read by Tom O'Bedlam
Robin Williams & Bobby McFerrin 'Come Together'
Avec Sans 'All Of Time'
Last Of The Barstools 'Don't Let The Bad Guys Win'
Blackwolf 'Moving Mountains'
The Brew 'Repeat'
Fire Red Empress 'Left Unspoken'
Glenn Hodge Banned 'Ignoramus'
The Simmertones 'Perhaps Perhaps Perhaps'

Details on the Planet Rock tour can be found here.

The Sunday Alternative Podcast #8

Steven James Adams 'Tears of Happiness'
Cold Specks 'Bodies at Bay'
James J Turner 'Watching You'
The Fuse 'Black Lion'
Thin Raft 'Slow & Singular'
A Tower Of Crows 'Livewire'
Wee Willie Harris 'Got A Match?'

The Sunday Alternative Podcast #7

Damn Vandals 'Cities Of A Plastic World'
Less Than Nothing 'Never Enough, Never Give Up'
Maps 'To The Sky' (M83 remix)
Liz Lawrence 'Health and Safety'
The Barr Brothers 'Even The Darkness Has Arms'
Never A Hero 'The Hollow and The Crow'

Sorry for a few problems, I'm a bit out of practice but next week will be better!

The Sunday Alternative Podcast #6

City Of Kites 'As The Spark Slowly Dies (demo)'
Zola Jesus 'Dangerous Days'
Idyll 'Paradise'
Perfect Beings 'Fictions'
The Senton Bombs 'Darkest Horse'
Fighting Evil Is Cool 'Lesbians'

The Sunday Alternative Podcast #5

Dick Venom & The Terrortones 'Valley Of The Allyalligator Girls'
The Hate Colony 'Recheck'
Plastikman 'Extrude'
Anand Wilder 'Wedding Day'
Visualise/Colours/Stop 'Projected Thoughts'
Jac Dalton 'Roll With The Punches'
(HED) P.E. 'One More Body'
Fire Red Empress 'Left Unspoken'

(Apologies for calling Fire Red Empress 'Red Fire Empress', I was mixing them up with a band from Nottingham. No offence intended).

The Sunday Alternative Podcast #4

 Rik Mayall 'Noble England'*
Anticure 'Better Of You'
Big Deal 'Always Boys'
Cold Specks 'Bodies At Bay'
Daisy Victoria 'Heart Full Of Beef'
Electric Baths 'Simple Sun'
Johnny Kowalski 'Tequila Song'
The Young Ones '(All The Little Flowers Are) Happy'*

*Played in tribute to Rik Mayall who died this week.

The Sunday Alternative Podcast #3

Robyn Hughes-Jones 'J'adore'
The Sons 'Relic'
Cabaret Voltaire 'Nag Nag Nag'
Dot Dash '(Here's To) The Ghosts Of The Past'
I Am Fire 'Eyes Wide Open'
Parzival 'Airyanem Vaeja Purana'
Perfect Beings 'Helicopter'
The David Liberty Band 'X&Y'

The Sunday Alternative Podcast #2

A massive thank you to everyone who listened to the first one, I wasn't sure if it would work but the first podcast tipped the 2000 listener mark during the week. Let's make this one even bigger!

Never A Hero 'Burning Skies'
Raging Speedhorn 'The Hate Song'
Liars 'Pro Anti Anti'
Dot Legacy 'Kennedy'
Icons 'Helios'
Perfect Beings 'Primary Colours'
Ben Frost 'Nolan'
Calling All Astronauts 'Hands Up Who Wants To Die'

(I referred to Raging Speedhorn as 'coming over' to appear at Sonisphere' because I was reading the wrong bit of my notes. They are of course a British band and don't have to 'come over' to play. Whoops.)

The Sunday Alternative Podcast #1

Enjoy...

Herod - We Are The Failure
Six Toes - The Morning After Melodrama
American Head Charge - Sugars Of Someday
Ray Bonneville - Love Is Wicked
Ian Prowse - I Did It For Love
Headline Maniac - Get Away
The Final Chapter - Sins
Reverted - Die My Saint

The mentioned American Head Charge campaign on Indie GoGo is here.

It's Not The End...

It's not the end, it's the beginning!
— TheSundayAlternative (@SundayAlt) March 16, 2014

So this is the end of an era, and hopefully the start of another. The Sunday Alternative said good bye to Trent Sound today, there were no tears although a little sadness.

I was so involved with keeping the show running while at the same time drafting a speech, that I forgot to write down the songs I played. Never mind, this is the final goodbye speech to the Trent Sound listeners.

I've really enjoyed doing The Sunday Alternative, in an age of bland, same six songs all day long radio, to have total creative freedom is something to cherish, not just for the presenters but also for you the listeners.

First of all I'd like to thank all the people who helped with the show. Co-presenters Chris Underwood, Erik Petersen, Dick Venom, Penny Reeve, Bainy, Andy Haynes (who also deputised along with Jason Loftus and Lee Beaumont), and Gary Barwell. Thanks to all the live bands who have played; Circus Envy, The Golden Troubadours, Adam Clarkson and Rob Rosa, Jack Kansas, Patrick Plunkett, William Tennant, Marc Reeves, Will Jefferey, Barnum Meserve, Jake Morley, Practical Lovers, Fighting Evil Is Cool, All So Wreckless, Centre Excuse, Fields, Lunar Park, Rebel Rebel, Matt Blick, Explode The TV, NYA, POM, The Sea Above, Minimum, Lucks Lane, Blue Vulture, Chloe McShane, One Million Motors, City Of Kites, Simon Waldram and Wild Man Of Europe.

Thank you for listening since September 11th 2011, but please be assured that it is not over for The Sunday Alternative. After a short break I'll be back with a weekly video series, and I'll be showcasing new music on my new monthly podcast BlogCast Monthly, available by email only so send a blank email to blogcastmonthly@gmail.com to catch that on the last Friday of the month from April. My American show The Sound Of Nottingham UK continues on Connecticut's Robin Hood Radio, and I'm keeping other irons in the fire.

Keep an eye on my Twitter @SteveOliver76 and @SundayAlt for updates, and the Facebook page. Don't forget you can hear all the old shows at mixcloud.com/thesundayalternative.

Thank you again.

I was joined in the studio by Wild Man Of Europe for what will sadly be the final live music session on the show. Nobody here is that keen on the changes, but there's very little that can be done at this point.

The live set was excellent though, helped by the fact that they are a nice bunch of people. I'm always a little apprehensive when it's a band I've not met in person but I didn't need to be today.

1pm-2pm

Al Jolson 'Mr Radio Man'
Your Favourite Enemies 'Where Did We Lose Each Other?'
The Sea 'I Hear The Drums'
Billy Bragg 'She's Leaving Home'
Eddie & The Hot Rods 'Once Bitten Twice Shy'
Flys 'Love And A Molotov Cocktail'
Buzzcocks 'Raison D'etre'
Stuntman Mike 'Promise'
Chinese Whispers 'Coming Up For Air'
Big Audio Dynamite 'Sudden Impact'
David Bowie 'I'm Divine'
                     'Toy'
                     'Silly Boy Blue'

2pm-3pm

Tom Jarvis 'No-one Understands'
                  'Chocolate'

Wild Man Of Europe live session:
'Red Tarn Blues'
'The End Credits'
'Set With The Sun'
'Reincarnate'
'Old Fashioned Flame'

PIL 'Acid Drops'
Boomtown Rats 'Mary Of The Forth Form'
Lagwagon 'I Must Be Hateful'
Mudhoney 'Touch Me I'm Sick'

Savior On The Tram

I was just stepping on the tram on the way to the studio, (three stops away) when my phone rang. It was Mandi to tell me that I had picked up last week's weekly tram pass instead of the current, valid one. Not only did I step straight into the path of the ticket inspector, but the tram was filled with what I refer to as 'cunt squad' (hasn't caught on yet); the high-visabilty jacket wearing bunch of jobsworth ticket inspectors. For some reason they need a team of six to do this job, which means that as it is Sunday the tram company are actually paying twelve wages as today is double time (I only ever show my pass to one of them on principal of the fact that it is a one person job), so I was fucked. I explained to the ticket guy that I had picked up the wrong pass, hoping that he would understand. Maybe it was the presense of cunt squad (seriously, they'll all be calling them that soon) that made him do his job to the letter, but he said that I would have to buy a ticket. I only had 1.40 in change on me, and they don't take cards on the tram. I said that I would use my card to buy a ticket from the machine at the next stop, but of course the new machines weren't working. My next offer was to buy a return ticket on my way back, but that wasn't good enough either. I explained who I was and that I was on my way to do my radio show, and I can only assume that he either isn't a lover of high quailty music, or he works this shift every Sunday afternoon and hasn't had the chance to listen to my show (I should have told him that all the shows are available on Mixcloud) because that didn't work either. Just when I thought that I would have to get off and be late for my own show, a stranger gave me the 60p difference as an act of kindness. That man saved radio today, and if you like music, you owe him a drink.

The show was a busy one, in the first hour I was talking to punk poet Eagle Spits about his charity work for Casa Alianza, and the four volume compilation album he has released, Punk 4 The Homeless. He brought his book of poetry with him too, so in addition to playing a few tracks from the album he also performed one of his poems. 

My musical guest was Adam Clarkson of Captain Dangerous, in to play three brand new songs from the band. I've known Adam about four years but been a fan of the band for longer, and he is always a pleasure to talk to. The main thrust of our conversations, on and off air, are mentioned in my main blog. The songs were great, I can't wait to hear the full band versions. 

(Note: This was Adam's third appearance on The Sunday Alternative)

1pm-2pm

Al Jolson 'Mr Radio Man'

Hate Colony 'Cottonmouth' 

Max Lisa 'Fly Away'

Qui 'Songbirds'

Tomorrow Come The Wolves 'Lover's Eyes'

Zooparty featuring Glenn Matlock 'P.M.A.'

Grave Robber 'Invisable Man'

Monkish '17p For A Freddo'

2pm-3pm

Coffee House session, The Landed:

'Leaving So Soon'

'Lovely Day'

'Things To Talk About'

Adam Clarkson, live performance:

'Hang Your Head In Shame Darlin''

'Down And Out In Kennleworth'

'King Richard 4th'

Captain Dangerous 'Then She Kissed Me'

Reason 'Before The Dawn'

Jac Dalton 'For Your Love'

David Bowie 'Dirty Boys'

                     'Rock & Roll Suicide'

All alone in the studio this week, just me and some great music!

1pm-2pm

Al Jolson 'Mr Radio Man'
Eddie & The Hot Rods 'The Power And The Glory'
Johnny Kidd & The Pirates 'Dr Feelgood'
Dr Feelgood 'Milk & Alcohol'
Melissa Moore 'Everyone Is Dead'
                        'Moonage Daydream'
The Drones 'Lookalikes'
Snuff 'Let The Music Play'
Dexy's Midnight Runners 'There There My Dear'
Carter USM 'Billy Smart's Circus'
David Bowie 'TVC15'/'Modern Love'/'Rebel Rebel/'Heroes' (Live Aid)

2pm-3pm

Your Favourite Enemies 'First Day Of My Life'
                                      'Where Did We Lose Each Other?'
Sham 69 'Borstal Breakout' (12")
Spunge 'Centrefold'
Spearhead 'Never Gonna Give You Up'
Patrick Plunkett 'Hooked On Desire'/'Millionaire'/'Come Home Tonight' (Sunday Alt session, 6th November 2011)
Nirvana vs The Bee Gees 'Smells Like Stayin' Alive'
The Smiths vs Michael Jackson 'Barbarism Begins With Billie Jean'
The Fall 'Mr Pharmacist'
New Order 'True Faith'

I'm Back

Back in the swing of things after a week off last week, with a live session from Patrick Plunkett who had taken the trouble to drive up from London to appear ahead of his gig in Nottingham this Friday at Jamcafe. This was his second appearance on the show, (the third returning guest), having performed on The Sunday Alternative way back in 2011.

1pm-2pm

Al Jolson 'Mr Radio Man'
Eddie & The Hot Rods 'Quit This Town'
Tomorrow Comes The Wolves 'Lover's Eyes'
The Kut 'No Trace'
Mudhoney 'Trademark Of Quality'
Damn Vandals 'I Bring You Love'
The Enfields 'I'm For The Things You Do'
Tennessee Thompson 'Slippin' and Slidin''
Echo & The Bunnymen 'Forgiven'
David Bowie 'Beauty & The Beast'
                     'Magic Dance'
                     'Dead Man Walking' (acoustic)

2pm-3pm

Johnny Lucas 'Lilo'
                      '7 Nation Army'

Patrick Plunkett live performance:
'Good Is No Good'
'Rainfall'
'MTV Dream'
'Wanderer'

The Cure 'Where The Birds Always Sing'
Pop Will Eat Itself 'Rock-A-Hula-Baby'
Qui 'Kicked Out Of Mime College'
Faith No More vs Queen 'Under Midlife Crisis Pressure'
The Alarm 'Down The Road'
Big Audio Dynamite 'Medicine Show'
Willie Nelson 'Bring Me Sunshine'

On The Phone

I didn't book a live music guest this weekend as I didn't think there would be enough time due to having two important phone interviews lined up; Barrie Masters from Eddie & The Hot Rods in the first hour, and Pauline Black of The Selector in the second. As everyone knows I'm a huge fan of the Rods and I've known them for about thirteen years so it was an easy interview. I think I confused Pauline a little by referencing some of her other work just to show her that she was talking to a genuine fan instead of a run of clueless local radio DJs that phoner sessions usually involve. With these two interviews sorted, I devoted much of the show to these artists and similar acts.

1pm-2pm (includes interview with Barrie Masters)

Al Jolson 'Mr Radio Man'
Sex Pistols 'Pretty Vacant'
Eddie & The Hot Rods 'Do Anything You Wanna Do'
Dr Feelgood 'Walking On The Edge'
Eddie & The Hot Rods 'Why Should I Care'
                                    'Gloria/Satisfaction'
                                    'On The Run'
                                    'Horseplay'
                                    'Better Without You'
                                    'Teenage Depression'
                                    'Get Out Of Denver'

2pm-3pm

Pauline Black & The Neville Staple Band 'Three Minute Hero'/'On My Radio'/'Too Much Pressure' (live at City Pulse, Nottingham)
The Specials 'Ghost Town'
The Selector 'Big In Body'
Billie Holiday 'When You're Smiling'
Pauline Black 'I Can See Clearly Now'
The Selector 'Back In Black'
Madness 'It Must Be Love'
The Specials 'Friday Night & Saturday Morning'
                    'Gangsters'
Breadchasers 'Things Will Be Better'

You Can Help

You may have noticed that there is a PayPal donate button above this blog. This is to enable me to work independently to create short films, podcasts, and other such things that will be made available for free without profit to myself.

I am trying to raise the funds to make a short documentary about The Sunday Alternative, and you can help by making donations (any amount is greatly appreciated) towards the costs. In return, I will host a free screening of the film, which will be made available at a later time on YouTube.

The film will feature interviews with past presenters, musicians, and most importantly the fans of the show. It was thought of when the show celebrated its second birthday but there wasn't enough time.

To see this film made and released this year, please consider making a donation.

Many thanks

Steve

Best Song Ever!

It was Twitter to the rescue once again, as my live guest Simon Waldram came via a shout out a couple of weeks ago. In fact, it was my former co-presenter Penny who put us in touch with each other. He seemed shy at first, but he was a good laugh and as he walked into my broadcast booth for the interview he commented on my great taste in music! I was playing 'Shadowplay' by Joy Division at the time.

You will notice that I played two versions of 'Louie Louie'. I think it is well documented that I collect versions of this song (along with 'I Love Rock and Roll' and 'Smells Like Teen Spirit'), so I was referring to the fiftieth anniversary of the FBI investigation into the lyrics of the version by The Kingsmen, as mentioned in a recent article in The Guardian that I wasn't asked to contribute to. I took along the Richard Berry original and Motorhead's cover, thinking that The Kingsmen version would be in the system. It wasn't.

1pm-2pm

Al Jolson 'Mr Radio Man'
Motorhead 'Louie Louie'
Colour Code 'Dance With The Times'
Dangerous Girls 'Don't Give Me Sense Give Me Rhythm'
The Trashmen 'King Of The Surf'
Jan & Dean 'The Little Old Lady From Pasadena'
Joy Division 'Shadowplay'
Damn Vandals 'Twist Up And Tangle'
David Bowie 'Scream Like A Baby'
Warpaint 'Ashes To Ashes'
David Bowie 'Word On A Wing'

2pm-3pm

Richard Berry 'Louie Louie'

Simon Waldram live performance
'Brushfield Spots'
'Family Album'
'Resenah'
'Thermal Girl'

Larry & The Blue Notes 'Night Of The Sadist'
The Nightcrawlers 'I Don't Remember'
Kraftwerk 'Europe Endless'
MG & The Escorts 'A Someday Fool'
Sonny Cole 'Robinson Crusoe Bop'
Television Personalities 'Where's Bill Grundy Now?'
Sultans Of Ping FC 'Where's Me Jumper?'
The Undertones 'You've Got My Number (Why Don't You Use It)'
The Clash 'Straight To Hell'

*Simon prefers the Black Flag version of 'Louie Louie'.

Fizz, Crackle, Hiss!

No Gary again this week as he has injured himself, but I was joined by City Of Kites who were another session guest organised on Twitter. I hadn't realised how established each member of the band were among Nottingham bands, forming something of a supergroup. As always they performed in the second hour, but sadly the recording of the entire show isn't goood enoough to upload to Mixcloud due to the crackling quality due to something going wrong during broadcast that had an adverse effect on my recording.

1pm-2pm

Al Jolson 'Mr Radio Man'
The Fabulous Wailers 'Turn And Run'
Human League 'Do Or Die (ultrasound mix)'
Guns & Roses 'November Rain (acoustic)'
Gerry Trimble 'Winds Of Change'
The Who 'Won't Get Fooled Again'
Primal Scream 'Loaded'
Klaus Nomi 'The Cold Song'
Big Audio Dynamite '2000 Shoes'

2pm-3pm

The Bad Shepherds 'I Fought The Law'

City Of Kites live session:
'Undo You'
'Laura'
'I Envy You'
'The Dotted Line'

David Bowie 'The Man Who Sold The World (acoustic'
David Bowie & Freddie Mercury 'Under Pressure (acapella)'
David Bowie vs Lenny Kravitz 'Mama Said I'd Be Famous'
Stevie Wonder vs Metallica 'Sad But Superstitious'
Johnny Thunders And The Heartbreakers 'I Wanna Be Loved'
The Stooges 'Loose'
Carter USm 'Good Grief Charlie Brown'

It's Sunday Fucking Lunchtime Kids!

Alone again in the presenting studio, although I was (as a last minute Twitter-to-the-rescue-arrangment) joined for a live acoustic session from One Million Motors, or John as I call him. He played seven songs, breaking the record for longest performance on the show and raising the bar for effort. Within a brilliant set he did drop a couple of fuck-bombs, which I immediately apologised on air for.

1pm-2pm

Al Jolson 'Me Radio Man'
Sandie Shaw & The Smiths 'I Don't Owe You Anything'
Reel Big Fish 'Don't Let Me Down'
K Walker 'One Minute To Zero'
Ronnie Pearson 'Hot Shot'
The Mighty Mighty Bosstones 'Simmer Down'
Donnie White 'Your Kind Of Loving'
Smash Mouth 'I'm A Believer'
Justin Hines & The Dominoes 'Carry Go Bring Home'
Eddie & The Hot Rods 'Do Anything You Wanna Do'
                                    'Teenage Depression'
David Bowie 'Ziggy Stardust (acoustic)'
                     'Sweet Head (acoustic)'
Mod Fiction 'Quit Stalling'

2pm-3pm

Igor Presnyakov 'Enter Sandman'

One Million Motors live session:
'To The Death'
'Never Alone'
Here's To Life'
'You'
'Everything'
'Golden'
'Potemkin City Limits'

Scritti Politti 'The Sweetest Girl'
The Lornes 'Hangman'
The Blockheads 'Boys Will Be Boys' (having just been emailed the track by the band)
International Exiles 'Let's Be Sophisticated'
Primitive Calculators 'Do The Icepick'
Dum Dum Girls 'Pay For Me'

Happy New Technical Fault!

Selfie

The first edition of The Sunday Alternative of the new year kicked off in pretty typical Trent Sound style, with my music not being in the studio system. I contacted the controller who said that he would update the system when he got home and do it remotely. The songs hadn't left the shared Dropbox folder, so even refreshing the system was hopeless. To get around this, we did the first forty minutes of the show by finding our chosen tracks on Youtube, which was a bodge of a solution but at least helped to tide us over.

1pm-2pm

Chas & Dave 'Auld Lang Syne'

Regina Spektor 'My Dear Acquaintance'

Counting Crows 'A Long December'

Parry Grip 'Doctor Who'

Jon Pertwee 'Who Is The Doctor'

Nenah Cherry 'Buffalo Ting Spirit'

Michael Jackson vs The Doors 'Billie Jean On A Storm'

The Everly Brothers 'Omaha'

The Freshies 'I'm In Love With The Girl On The Manchester Virgin Records Checkout Desk'

2pm-3pm

The Orb 'Valley'

Roberta Tovey 'Who's Who'

Great Lake Swimmers 'Gonna Make It Through This Year'

Sir Henry & His Butlers 'Bye Bye Johnny'

Utah Saints 'Something Good (High Contrast Mix)'

Spike Jones 'All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth'

The Beez 'Apathy'

Dean Carter 'Jailhouse Rock'

Johnny Skiles 'Rock Jump Boogie'

Sean Bonniwell 'Double Yellow Line'

Sesame Street Cast 'Keep Christmas With You'

Tis The Season...

Gary was running late due to family business so I did the first half an hour in something of a weird mood. I had looked forward to this show as I didn't get a chance to do a Christmas Alternative last year, and the year before I did a Christmas Number One countdown, so I hadn't done a show in this style since my legendary show on Sherwood Radio.

Once Gary turned up it was business as usual; my plan to celebrate Christmas on alternate years, how annoying it is that the shops start Christmas in the summer, and Doctor Who got a mention as usual. This certainly wasn't ever going to be your conventional Christmas special.

1pm-2pm

Oscar The Grouch 'I Hate Christmas'
Coldcut 'Coldcut's Christmas Break'
Elmo & Patsy 'Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer'
The Sensational Alex Harvey Band 'There's No Light On The Christmas Tree'
The Clash 'I Fought The Law'
                 'White Riot'
                 'Jail Guitar Doors' (all played in tribute to Joe Strummer, who died on this day in 2002)
Jethro Tull 'Holly Herald'
Iggy Pop 'White Christmas'
Run DMC 'Christmas In Hollis'
Bob B Soxx & The Blue Jeans 'Here Comes Santa Claus'
Status Quo 'It's Christmas Time'
The Roots 'Millie Pulled A Pistol On Santa'
AC/DC 'Mistress For Christmas'

2pm-3pm

The Goons 'Walking Backwards For Christmas'
Wall Of Voodoo 'Shouldn't Have Given Him A Gun For Christmas'
Twisted Sister 'I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus'
Alice Cooper 'Santa Claws Is Coming To Town'
The Ramones 'Merry Christmas (I Don't Want To Fight Tonight)'
The Go-Gos 'I'm Gonna Spend My Christmas With A Dalek'
Vera Lynn 'The Little Boy That Santa Claus Forgot'
Spinal Tap 'Christmas With The Devil'
Richard Digance 'The Ballad Of Johnny Milner'
The Goodies 'Father Christmas Do Not Touch Me'
Kermit The Frog 'One More Sleep 'Till Christmas'

Home For The Weekend

The Nottingham music scene has to do without Chloe McShane while she studies at Brighton University, so when she offered to pop in for a sing and a chat I couldn't say no.

1pm-2pm

Al Jolson 'Mr Radio Man'
Chas & Dave 'Ain't No Pleasin' You'
Duffo 'Walk On The Wild Side'
John Doe & The Acetates 'Purple Haze'
Lucks Lane 'Running For My Life'
Nena 'Starman'
David Bowie 'White Light White Heat'
Nine Inch Nails 'Maybe Just Once'
Chloe McShane 'Singing Red'
The Sonics 'Lucille'
The Razz 'You Can Run But You Can't Hide'
Stuntman Mike 'Promise'
Bogshed 'Morning Sir!'

2pm-3pm

Cocteau Twins 'Lazy Calm'

Chloe McShane live in session:
'Don't Let Go'
'Twenty Nine'

Patti Smith 'Switchblade'
Close Lobsters 'What Is There To Smile About'
Voodoo Glow Skulls 'I Shot The Sheriff'
The Church Mice 'Babe We Are Not Part Of Society'
The Soup Dragons 'Head Gone Astray'
Inspiral Carpets 'Well Of Seven Heads'
Peabody Hermitage 'Something So'
Dr Feelgood 'Walking On The Edge'
The Pretty 'Mustache On Your Face'
The Church 'As You Will'
Primal Scream 'Funky Jam (super droog mix)'

A 'Quite Good' Show

I'm determined to have a live music session on as oftern as possible, although it might be difficult for out of town bands with my new time slot. This week was fine though, as my mate Bainy was on hand to come in with half of his new band Blue Vulture. I've had a joke with Bainy for a while now, refusing to say anything positive about his band other than that they are 'quite good', it's even on their Reverbnation page. I went and ruined it right at the end of their set by turning to Gary with the microphones on in our studio by saying "absolutley brilliant". The truth is of course that they are a great band with some fine songs. They have only played gigs at a venue that I am barred from so far so I have yet to see them live.

1pm-2pm

Al Jolson 'Mr Radio Man'
The Gentrys 'Gonna Look Straight Through You'
The Stranglers 'All Day And All Of The Night'
Television Personalities 'Part Time Punks'
The Deepest Blue 'Pretty Little Thing'
Link Wray 'Mind Blower'
The Cigarettes 'You Were So Young'
David Bowie 'Tired Of My Life'
Flight Of The Concords 'Bowie Song'
Queen vs Red Hot Chilli Peppers 'Under The Pressure'
John Lennon 'Imagine'

2pm-3pm

Pantera 'Walk'
The Dead Milkmen 'Punk Rock Girl'
Nirvana vs Blur 'Smells Like Song 2'

Blue Vulture live session:
'Green Teeth'
'Hide'
'Cats & Flowers'
'The Last Time I Saw You Alive'

The Remains 'I Can't Get Away From You'

The Todds 'I Want Her Back'

Divine Comedy 'Song For Ten'

Neil Hannon 'Song For Ten'

John Lennon 'Happy Christmas (War Is Over)'

Smashing Pumpkins 'Disarm'