Mick and the PhatMan Talking Music

Mick and the Phatman
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  • Music Commentary
  • Updated Biweekly

Join Mick and Jeff as they talk about artists, albums and music genres with passion that comes from personal connection.  They’ve seen artists in concert at venues that don’t even exist today, bought albums when they were released on vinyl and, in some cases, met the artists.   Sometimes they love the artist or music they're talking about. Sometimes they don’t. But, without fail, you'll always hear something you didn’t know. 

  1. May 17

    Early hits - Anthem or albatross? Radiohead & others

    This episode we look at the phenomena of hugely successful artists refusing to play the songs that made them!  First among these is Radiohead, whose “Creep” launched them onto the world stage.  Others include The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, and Madonna.    Our Album You Must Hear Before You Die is The Stranglers’ 1977 debut, the excellent “Rattus Norvegicus”, yet another punk record from the mid-70s. Mick loves this album for its energy and refusal to bow down to supposed “punk” rules.  We also look at some of the highlights of The Stranglers’ outrageous career to this day.   In Rock News, Jeff examines the success (or otherwise) of a Quebec band called Angine de Poitrine, known for their complex, “microtonal” compositions and absurdist public image, featuring oversized papier-mâché masks and black-and-white polka-dotted costumes. Imagine!  Jeff also has a look at this year's inductees to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, including Iron Maiden, Phil Collins, and Joy Division, and our Rod Stewart moment looks at his relaxed attitude towards death.   Plenty there for everyone!    References:  1001 Albums You Must Hear before You Die, Robert Dimery, The Stranglers, Rattus Norvegicus, Hugh Cornwell, JJ Burnel, sexism & misogyny, “(Get a) Grip (on yourself)”, “Peaches”, “Down in the Sewer”, Deep Purple, “Strange Kind of Woman”, ice cream van, "Golden Brown", harpsichord, Battersea Park Big Top Festival strippers, Radiohead, Thom Yorke, Jonny Greenwood, Colin Greenwood, Ed O'Brien, Philip Selway, Pablo Honey, Electioneering, Just, “Rolling Stone’s 250 Greatest Guitarists of all Time”, “OK Computer”, Nick Cave, “Creep”, “Pavlov’s Dog”, “Julia”, AC/DC, “It’s a Long Way to the Top”, Bon Scott, Pat Benatar, “Hit me with your Best Shot”, Beastie Boys, “Fight for Your Right (to Party)”, Billy Joel , “Tell Her About It”, Weird Al Jankovic, “Eat It”, Rolling Stones, “Brown Sugar”, Madonna, Dylan, “Hurricane”, Robert Plant, Led Zeppelin, "Stairway to Heaven", Eric Clapton, "Tears in Heaven”, George Harrison, "My Sweet Lord", "He's So Fine"    Playlist (all the music & artists we referred to in this episode)  Angine de Potrine  Hugh Cornwell  Send us a message, so we know what you're thinking!

    1h 1m

  2. May 3

    What does outrageous look and sound like? The Skyhooks episode.

    In the mid-70's, one of our most outrageous bands burst out of Melbourne ready to shock a relatively conservative Australian society.  With wild costumes & makeup, songs touching on drugs, sexuality and masturbation, and Red’s four-letter word chants, what's not for teenagers to love?  We certainly did!  Mick just got a new book covering the life of American guitarist Dick Wagner.  With a career that included some of our favourite artists and music, including Lou Reed, Alice Cooper, Kiss and Peter Gabriel, he thinks this book could fuel a new episode sometime soon.  Our Album you Must Hear Before You Die is “Oxygene” by Jean-Michel Jarre.  Very much at one end of our taste spectrum, this album really sorts the “listeners” from the “headbangers.”  We know you’ll really enjoy this episode!  References:  Steve Hunter & Dick Wagner, “Not Only Women Bleed”, Globite, Countdown, "Michael”, Antoine Fuqua, John Logan, Michael Jackson, Rod Stewart, “1001 Albums You Must Hear before You Die”, Robert Dimery, Skyhooks, Graham “Shirley” Strachan, Greg Macainsh, Red Symons, Freddie Strauks, Bob “Bongo” Starkie, White cowboy suit, “Polaroid in Concert”, concert at Dawes Point, “Living in the 70’s”, “Smut”, "whipping the dripping”, "You Just Like Me Cos I'm Good in Bed", Double Jay, “Ego is not a Dirty Word”, “Shirl’s Neighbourhood”, Our House, The Party Boys, helicopter crash, “Hey Hey, It’s Saturday”, “Red Faces”, APRA    Playlist - all the music and artists we talk about in this episode “Michael” - Trailer    Paris expresses her views on the movie.    Send us a message, so we know what you're thinking!

    59 min

  3. Apr 22

    Split Enz – One of Australia's favourite New Zealand bands

    One of NZ’s best-ever band exports is Split Enz.  Formed in the 70’s, Split Enz’ intelligent pop music made them one of our top bands for over a decade, and still beloved today. We look at how they got started and some highlights of their career and recordings.   We also talk about our annual trip to Bali, where we discovered a local band that played Pink Floyd's  “Wish You Were Here” (yes, really!!)  Radiohead's “Creep”, Johnny Cash’s “Ring of Fire” and a stack of other songs straight from our episode playlists. Yep, sure surprised us!    Our “Album You must Hear Before You Die” is Penguin Cafe Orchestra’s self-titled album from 1976 – an experience for an open mind!      References:  Bali, Pink Floyd, “Wish You Were Here”, Johnny Cash, “Ring of Fire”, The Bee Gees, “To Love Somebody”, Nick Cave & Shane McGowan, “What a Wonderful World”, Radiohead, “Creep”, “Love is all around us”, The Troggs, “Love Actually”, Bill Nighy, Jonny Greenwood, Michael’s Bar in Legian,  “Wedding songs, and other disasters”, New Zealand, Auckland, Split Enz, Coachella 26, David Lee Roth, Teddy Swims, Justin Bieber, Robert Dimery, 1001 Albums you must hear before you die, ”Penguin Cafe Orchestra”, Simon Jeffes, Steve Nye, Eno, Obscure, “Music For a Found Harmonium”, “The Sound of Someone you Love Who's Going Away And It Doesn't Matter”, 101ers, Joe Strummer, Malcolm McLaren, Sid Vicious, "My Way", The Great Rock'n'Roll Swindle, Tim Finn, Phil Judd, APRA Top 100 New Zealand Songs of All Time, Finn Brothers, Crowded House, Neil Finn, Paul Hester, “The Mullanes”,  Countdown, Michael Jackson, MTV, “Mental Notes”, Phil Manzanera, “Second Thoughts”, “In Every Dream Home a Heartache”, “The Swingers”, “Counting the Beat”, ENZSO, “Six Months in a Leaky Boat”, Aotearoa”, Māori, Falklands crisis, The Wiggles, “Wiggly Version”, REM      Playlist – all the music & artists we talked about in this episode  Send us a message, so we know what you're thinking!

    1h 2m

  4. Apr 4

    A Galaxy of Great Guest Appearances

    This episode, we look at guest appearances.  From Duane Allman playing the famous lead on “Layla”, to Bob Seger doing backing vocals on The Eagles’ “Heartache Tonight”. It’s all here, from a moment in the studio to creation of an inspirational piece of music  It’s a chock-a-block episode. “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” looks at Neil Sedaka, Charles Negron II of Three Dog Night, William "Billy Bass" Nelson Jr, of Parliament-Funkadelic, and rappers Lil Poppa 25 and Luci4 22, who were, surprisingly, shot to death. “Rock News” considers nominees for the 2026 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and we introduce our latest “Rod Stewart Moment”.  If that’s not enough, “1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die”, looks at Eno’s 1978 album “Ambient 1: Music for Airports” and how it fits with his early body of work.   So much to take in!  Enjoy!    References:  Guesting, Collaboration, Session, Eddie Van Halen, “Beat It”, “Eat It”, “Sentimental Hygiene”, Donald Trump - “Home Alone 2”, Voice roles on “The Simpsons”, Crowded House, Sydney Opera House forecourt, Tim Finn, Split Enz, “I See Red”, Lou Reed, Antony Hegarty (Antony and The Johnstons), “Berlin”, Cyndi Lauper, Cher, “Girls just want to have fun”, David Bowie, Hammersmith Odeon, Ziggy Stardust, Jeff Beck, “Jean Genie”, “His Master’s Voice”, “Ziggy Stardust: The Motion Picture”, Bono, George Michael – Aretha Franklin, Buddy Guy – Clapton & Phil Collins, Muddy Waters - Mick, Keith & Ronnie, Billy Bragg – Peter Buck & Michael Stipe, Glastonbury, Paul McCartney - Dave Grohl & Bruce Springsteen, Elton John, Sebel Town House, Warren Zevon, Dylan, Don Henley, “Wish You Were Here”, Roy Harper - “Have A Cigar”, The Beatles - Duane Allman/Billy Preston/Eric Clapton, John Lennon - “Whatever gets you through the night”/Elton John, Lennon backing vocals on Bowie’s “Fame”, Thin Lizzy, “Live & Dangerous” - Huey Lewis harmonica, Peter Gabriel - “Games Without Frontiers”/“Don’t Give Up” - Kate Bush, Neil Young - “Heart of Gold”/“Old Man” - James Taylor & Linda Ronstadt, REM, “Shiny Happy People” - Kate Pierson, “Nightswimming” - John Paul Jones arranged, Rolling Stones, “We Love You” - Lennon & McCartney backing vocals, “All You Need is Love" - Jagger and Richards backing vocals, Carly Simon, “You’re so Vain” - Jagger backing vocals, Phil Collins, “Another Day in Paradise” - David Crosby backing vocal, “The Great Gig in the Sky” – Pink Floyd/Dark Side of the Moon - Clare Torry, “Let's Dance” – Stevie Ray Vaughan, “While my Guitar Gently Weeps” – Clapton, Sting - “Money for Nothing”, I want my MTV, Dire Straits    Playlist    Robert Fripp & Toyah Wilcox - "Heroes" Send us a message, so we know what you're thinking!

    1h 5m

  5. Mar 21

    One Album Wonders

    Sometimes, bands release only one album – no follow-up, no nothing! Some are great.  Some, not so much. This episode, we look at a bunch of what we’re calling “One-Album-Wonders".  In 1975, Aerosmith released their breakthrough album, “Toys in the Attic”.  Did we like it then? Do we like it now? In “Albums You Must Hear Before You Die”, we examine these and other mysteries.   All this and the usual mix of stuff.  We know you’ll love it.  References:  Mark Kennedy, Fred Smith, Television, Rod Stewart, Donald Trump, 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die, Robert Dimery, drug use, The Toxic Twins, No more No more, Walk this Way, Run-DMC, REM, Sweet Emotion, Mother Love Bone, Apple, Seattle, Grunge, Andy Wood, Eric Clapton, Blind Faith, Derek And the Dominos, Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs, Jeff Buckley, Grace, Leonard Cohen, Hallelujah, The La’s, Lee Mavers, Sex Pistols, Never Mind the Bollocks, GTOs, Permanent Damage, Cynthia Plaster Caster, Pamela Des Barres, Coverdale Page, David Coverdale, Jimmy Page, The Modern Lovers, Jonathan Richman, John Cale, Mainstream, Quiet Sun, Phil Manzanera, Roxy Music, Diamond Head, 801 Live, Them Crooked Vultures    Playlist  Rock Star sandwiches  Molly Meldrum news  Send us a message, so we know what you're thinking!

    1h 10m

  6. Mar 7

    Linda Ronstadt - A 70s' Rock Goddess

    Linda Ronstadt has been described as the most successful and certainly the most durable and most gifted woman rock singer of her era. We look at her impact on music (and us!).  Our "Album You Must Listen to Before You Die" is 10cc’s “Sheet Music”, their 2nd album which announced to the world that they were a force to be reckoned with.  Did we like the album?  You bet!  Plus, more on Jeff’s current fixation with Bad Bunny’s impact on America today.  Lots of fun.  You’re going to love it!    PS. We said we’d give you a link to Annie Liebovitz, but there’s so much on-line that you can easily find stuff yourself.  Do it, You’ll be pleased you did.    References: Lola, Fleetwood Mac, “Rumours”, Super Bowl #60, 1001 Albums You Must Hear before You Die, Robert Dimery, Sheet Music, Hipgnosis, Strawberry Studios, Lol Creme, Kevin Godley, Graeme Gouldman, Eric Stewart, The Gizmotron, Wall Street Shuffle, Mike McGear, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holliday, The Stone Poneys, Different Drum, Mike Nesmith, The Eagles, Jackson Browne, Waddy Wachtel, Warren Zevon, Neil Young, Judy Henske, “Heart Like a Wheel”, Anna McGarrigle, When Will I Be Loved, Dr Hook & The Medicine Show, Hasten Down the Wind, “Simple Dreams”, Blue Bayou, It’s so Easy, Poor Poor Pitiful Me, Carmelita, Pirates of Penzance, la Boheme, The Great American Songbook, Nelson Riddle, Canciones de mi Padre, James Ingram, Somewhere out There, An American Tail, Bette Midler, All I Need to Know    Playlist  Charlie Puth National Anthem  Bad Bunny half time show  Super Bowl food     Send us a message, so we know what you're thinking!

    1h 4m

  7. Feb 21

    The Changing Role of Soundtracks

    When we watch movies & shows at the movies or, increasingly, on TV, the soundtrack is ever-present to set the mood and enhance the story. But we never stop to consider its’ role, how it’s changed over the years, and how it interacts with other elements, such as the title sequence. This episode we look at how the use of soundtracks has changed over the last 30 or more years and consider some very creative soundtracks!  In Rock News, we look at The Hollywood Vampires, Cyndi Lauper, Deep Purple, David Lee Roth and Devo, who are all heading out on the road, while the latest fad out of the US is Lollipop Star, a sweet that plays a tune as you suck it!  Our Album You Must Hear before You Die is “The Lexicon of Love” by ABC.  Smooth!  We know you’ll enjoy this one!    References:  The Hollywood Vampires, Cyndi Lauper, Deep Purple, David Lee Roth, Devo, 1001 Albums You Must Hear before You Die, Robert Dimery, ABC, The Lexicon of Love, Martin Fry, Poison Arrow, early 80s British pop, Star Wars, Sound of Music, I Dream of Jeannie, Mr Ed, The Exorcist, Mike Oldfield, Tubular Bells, Shrek, I’m a Believer, Hallelujah, Led Zeppelin, Immigrant Song, Charmed, How Soon is Now, The Smiths, Morrissey & Marr, Game of Thrones, The Americans, The Old Man, Bad Sisters, Leonard Cohen, Who by Fire, PJ Harvey, The Pogues, Dirty Old Town, Rogue Heroes, Amelia Hartley, “prestige TV”, Down Cemetery Road, John Cale, You know more than I know, Fear, Fallout, scenes of extreme gore, Some Enchanted Evening, The Castells, It Ain't the Meat (It's the Motion), The Swallows, Slow Horses, Mick Jagger, Mick Herron, Queen, Brighton Rock, Bowie, Heroes, Stranger Things, Kate Bush, Running Up That Hill, IF, Ryan Reynolds, Ooh La La, The Faces, Connie Francis, Pretty Little Baby, TikTok    Playlist  Lollipop Star – The sucker that sings to you  A list of bands touring through 2026 (It’s read-only.  Sorry!) 60s TV Shows  Send us a message, so we know what you're thinking!

    1h 14m

  8. Feb 8

    Great double albums of the 80’s

    In Season 5 (2025), we talked about how double albums came about, and talked about some of the best double albums of the 70’s.  This episode, we look at some of the best double albums of the 80’s.   Our Album You Must Listen to Before You Die is “Out of the Blue”, by ELO. It WAS a huge hit in the 80’s. But was it any good? Hmmm.   In “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door”, we pay tribute to Rob Hirst (Midnight Oil), Ted Egan (a legend of the Northern Territory), and Bob Weir (Grateful Dead) among others.   A big episode!  References: Ultimate Classic Rock, Rob Hirst, Midnight Oil, Ghostwriters, Ted Egan, Drinkers of the Northern Territory, Bob Taylor, Dragon, Chris Rea, Bob Weir, Zen Arcade, Husker Du, Layla, Derek & The Dominos, Clapton, The Rolling Stones, Exile on Main Street, Pink Floyd, The Wall, Prince, 1999, Little Red Corvette, Delirious, Sign "O" the Times, U2, Rattle and Hum, The Joshua Tree, Bono’s “Messiah” complex, Husker Du, Zen Arcade, Talking Heads, The Name of This Band Is Talking Heads, The Cure, Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me,   Just Like Heaven, Why Can’t I be You, Iron Maiden, Live After Death, Eddie, Bruce Springsteen, The River, Cadillac Ranch, Hungry Heart, The River, English Settlement, XTC, No Thugs in our House, Senses Working Overtime  Playlist Music Lollypop Send us a message, so we know what you're thinking!

    56 min
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About

Join Mick and Jeff as they talk about artists, albums and music genres with passion that comes from personal connection.  They’ve seen artists in concert at venues that don’t even exist today, bought albums when they were released on vinyl and, in some cases, met the artists.   Sometimes they love the artist or music they're talking about. Sometimes they don’t. But, without fail, you'll always hear something you didn’t know. 

Information

  • Creator
    Mick and the Phatman
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    110
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Mick and the PhatMan Talking Music
  • Show Website
    Mick and the PhatMan Talking Music

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