Misadventures in Music with Ian Prowse & Mick Ord

Urbanista Magazine
  • 4.9 (42)
  • Music History
  • Monthly

Dive into the heart of music's most compelling narratives with "Misadventures in Music," a podcast where the untold stories of the music industry come to light. Hosted by Merseyside's own Ian Prowse, frontman of Amsterdam and the erstwhile spearhead of Pele, alongside Mick Ord, former head of BBC Merseyside Ian and Mick, with their rich backgrounds in music and journalism, embark on a quest to explore music history.

  1. 13 Jun

    Noel Burke - Echo & the Bunnymen. St. Vitus Dance

    In this episode of Misadventures in Music, Ian Prowse and Mick Ord are joined by singer songwriter Noel Burke, best known for stepping into one of the most challenging roles in British music history when he became the frontman of Echo & The Bunnymen following the departure of Ian McCulloch.Noel reflects on joining the legendary Liverpool band during a period of immense change, working alongside Will Sergeant and Les Pattinson, and the challenge of performing songs that had already become part of British music folklore. He shares candid memories of touring with the band, winning over audiences, and finding his place in a group with such a devoted following.The conversation also explores Noel's early musical influences, his time with acclaimed Irish band St Vitus Dance, the realities of the music industry, songwriting, creativity, and the lasting impact of Liverpool's remarkable music scene.Along the way, there are stories about the post-punk era, life on the road, the pressures of following a celebrated frontman, and the friendships and musicians that shaped Noel's career. The discussion also touches on the late Pete de Freitas, drummer Damon Reece, and the often-overlooked chapter of Echo & The Bunnymen's history that Noel helped write.Thoughtful, honest and often very funny, this is a fascinating conversation with a musician who found himself at the centre of one of the most talked-about transitions in British rock.If you're interested in Liverpool music, post-punk, songwriting, music history, or the untold stories behind iconic bands, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

    1hr 4min

  2. 10 May

    Ian McNabb of The Icicle Works

    In this episode of Misadventures in Music, Ian Prowse and Mick Ord sit down with legendary Liverpool songwriter and Ian McNabb for a fascinating, wide-ranging conversation about music, creativity, and a career that has spanned decades. From the early days of The Icicle Works through to his solo work and latest projects, Ian shares insights that only someone with his experience could provide. Ian reflects on the rise of The Icicle Works, explaining how the band’s unique sound emerged during the 1980s alternative music explosion. He dives into the story behind the band’s unforgettable name, revealing the quirky, unexpected origins that many fans might not know. He also discusses the songwriting approaches that helped make classic tracks like Love Is a Wonderful Colour and Birds Fly (Whisper to a Scream) resonate with audiences, combining melodic sensibility with storytelling and emotional depth. The conversation then moves to Ian’s brand new album 65, offering listeners a glimpse into his current creative process. He talks in detail about his cover of So. Central Rain (I'm Sorry), explaining what it meant to reinterpret such an iconic track and how collaborating with Peter Buck influenced the recording and arrangement. Ian also reflects on his broader approach to music production, maintaining artistic integrity, and how he balances homage to his influences with forging a sound that is unmistakably his own. Throughout the episode, Ian shares candid stories about Liverpool’s vibrant music scene, performing live across the UK and Ireland, life on the road, and the challenges and rewards of sustaining a long career in music. He offers personal anecdotes that range from humorous to deeply insightful, including the experiences that shaped his artistry, the pivotal moments that defined The Icicle Works, and how early influences continue to inspire his work today. Whether you are a longtime fan of The Icicle Works, a music enthusiast interested in songwriting and production, or someone who loves hearing behind-the-scenes stories from Liverpool’s iconic music scene, this episode is full of rich, engaging content. It’s an honest, funny, and thoughtful conversation that captures both the legacy of Ian McNabb and the ongoing evolution of his music.

    1hr 4min

  3. 16 Apr

    Tommy Scott - Space

    Tommy Scott, the main songwriter and guitarist, from the iconic Liverpool band "Space" is our highly entertaining guest in episode 42 of the Misadventures in Music podcast. The band scored 8 UK Top 40 singles and had great success with their albums 'Spiders' and 'Tin Planet' in the 1990's and they're still going strong today. Space' has a new album out later this year - "Ten Neurotic Fairytales" - and a UK tour. Tommy's imagination and enthusiasm sparkles in this podcast and his wild tales of playing live in China, boozing with Tom Jones and throwing stones at the Prime Minister - when a self-confessed scouse "urchin"- provide genuinely laugh-out-loud moments in the podcast.

    1hr 2min

  4. 13 Mar

    Penny Kiley Author & Music Journalist

    It's 1977 and punk has just hit Liverpool.   The legendary Eric's club is home to the city's rebels and posers - many became pop stars. Penny Kiley became a music journalist. Atypical Girl - Punk rock, Liverpool and trying to be normal' is Penny's homage to the city's re-emergence as a musical force which had lain dormant since the Beatles upped sticks and left in the 60's. The book is also the highly personalised tale of an autistic woman in the male-dominated world of music journalism - working for Melody Maker, Smash Hits and the Liverpool Echo, reviewing gigs by Echo and the Bunnymen and Dead or Alive, and interviewing Jonathan Richman and the rest. "If anyone can paint a true picture of those glorious days, Penny can." - says Will Seargent.

    57 min

  5. 21 Feb

    Mike Badger - The La's

    In this we hear from Mike Badger - one of the founder members of the legendary Liverpool band The La's and an established artist in his own right. Mike recently released  'Devils, Ghosts & Firearms', his first studio album in 5 years. Mike's continues to have a successful career as a film-maker (cult folk-horror movie,"The Vaden") and as an acclaimed sculptor whose current exhibition with Jeff Young at the Kirkby Gallery has received rave reviews. You can hear Mike's and artistic passion in every word he speaks.

    1hr 1min

  6. 8 Jan

    2025 Highlights

    The latest episode of the 'Misadventures in Music' podcast (number 39) with Ian Prowse and Mick Ord features some of the highlights from the last 12 months including revealing and controversial comments from some of their top guests including Mike McCartney, "Nasher" from Frankie Goes to Hollywood and the brilliant Merseyside-born singer Beryl Marsden who's been wowing audiences since the early 60's when she supported the Beatles on tour and played in Hamburg aged just 16. The guys also discuss Ian's own musical highlights from past year and reveal some of the exciting plans they have for the podcast in 2026, with a few meaty teasers thrown in about his forthcoming album due for release in the summer.

    54 min

  7. 23/11/2025

    James Campion

    James Campion is the author of a new fascinating and revealing book about Prince - one of the greatest songwriters and musicians of his era who passed away much too soon in 2016 aged 57. His new book 'Revolution - Prince, the band, the era" focuses on his prolific and ground-breaking music from the 80's when he and his band took the music world by storm. James makes a really strong case that Prince should be considered one of our greatest ever pop artists - in the same league as Bowie and The Beatles ; crucially, he emphasizes the huge influence that the other members of the band, The Revolution, had on the music.It's a warts and all portrait of an enigmatic, hugely gifted individual who drove himself and his musical family to the limits and beyond. Prince and the Revolution's is a tale worth savouring, told by a master storyteller. Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6UQLDLxQBRnal3O8hq8r0V?si=ce35dc720aea440cBook:  https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/revolution-9781493080847/

    1hr 1min

  8. 16/10/2025

    Beryl Marsden - Liverpool’s Unsung Soul Queen

    In this episode of Misadventures in Music, we sit down with the incredible Beryl Marsden who is one of the original voices of the Merseybeat era and a true powerhouse of British R&B and soul. From blowing away Cavern Club crowds at just 14 to touring with The Beatles (yep, those Beatles), Beryl’s story is packed with music history, friendships with legends, and a voice that could shake the rafters. John Lennon famously dubbed her “the mighty mite”—and you’ll quickly hear why. We talk about: Her early rise in the Liverpool sceneTouring the UK with The Beatles in ’65Singing alongside Rod Stewart and Mick Fleetwood in Shotgun ExpressWhy she’s considered one of the best voices of her generationThe highs, lows, and wild tales of a six-decade careerStill performing today and finally getting the recognition she deserves, Beryl brings heart, humour, and soul to everything she does, including this brilliant chat. Listen to Beryls playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2Ij9hJGY0Mf7vWK2TEY9BQ?si=e5d5b72b046a4e4e&nd=1&dlsi=ed514660d105442c

    1hr 12min
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4.9
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About

Dive into the heart of music's most compelling narratives with "Misadventures in Music," a podcast where the untold stories of the music industry come to light. Hosted by Merseyside's own Ian Prowse, frontman of Amsterdam and the erstwhile spearhead of Pele, alongside Mick Ord, former head of BBC Merseyside Ian and Mick, with their rich backgrounds in music and journalism, embark on a quest to explore music history.

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