Welcome to summer in the city, where the days are long and the nights are sultry. If your soul is warmed by the familiarity of hot breezes through open windows carrying the sounds of music and chatter on the street, and your mind is enticed by a steamy barroom tapestry of smoke, drink, romance and […]
Author: Kevin Brennan
Return of the Metal Gods
A bonafide metal band beginning with 1974’s Rocka Rolla, the release of British Steel in 1980 brought Judas Priest to the masses. A seminal album, it contained “Breaking the Law,” “United,” “Metal Gods,” and the song that sealed the deal, “Livin’ After Midnight.” The 30th Anniversary edition that I blasted out contains a remastered version […]
Singing Songs About the South Land
Did you ever wish a few of your favorite artists would get together and write some great songs? Ignoring the still-lingering phenomenon that launched in the 90s of superstar duets and filling your album with guest appearances so it will sell, there aren’t many substantive efforts out there for my tastes. But I’m smilin’ as […]
‘Cause a Cheap Fix is What I Need
Hey gang, this post is for all of you who, like me, had your concert life torn asunder by your personal life and missed the Cowboy Junkies over the weekend. As unforgivable as that statement was for me to type, I immediately appeal to the greater good by providing the ATV community with a cure […]
Aye Begorrah! It’s the Pogues for St. Patrick’s Day!
A hearty hello and a raisin’ of a Black and Tan to all in ATV land! It’s the Stereo Dictator bringing you the very finest in holiday music entertainment and today is no exception. Live from France on August 14, 1986 to your desktop come the modern-day masters of Irish folklore, the Pogues. Packing 14 […]
Good Listening: It’s a Bleedin’ Board for Bon
Greetings music lovers! It’s time for another trip to the Stereo Dictator’s massive musical archives in search of a show of sonic and social significance to the rock and roll community. Today’s installment is in memory of a true rock and roll legend, Ronald Belford Scott, better known as the Problem Child himself, Bon Scott. […]
The 12 Boots of Christmas: Don’t Give Us None of Your Aggravation
Hey there music lovers, we’ve reached the end of the line. Santa has to get ready for the big show and we have to be sure to get the last boot in the 12 Boots of Christmas series prepared for placement under the tree. Today’s North Pole nugget is a vintage seasonal performance from one […]
The 12 Boots of Christmas: All the Way from San Jose
Boot #11 in the 12 Boots of Christmas series brings together two of Santa’s favorite sons, Ian Hunter and Mick Ronson, for an old-fashioned rock and roll radio show that is sure to warm the coldest holiday heart.
The 12 Boots of Christmas: Santa Plays the Daily Double
Hey hey music lovers, it’s getting closer to the big day and the big guy is feeling mighty generous! Today’s installment of the 12 Boots of Christmas features a pair, as in two, well-worn but still shiny boots from the 1980s. Boot # 10 is another Santa selected holiday treat of the international variety. Roll […]
The 12 Boots of Christmas: Ian Wants Three Things for Christmas
With Santa being a creature of habit, it’s no surprise that we are returning to Sweden for Boot # 9 in the 12 Boots of Christmas series. Welcome this time to lovely Lucianatten, apparently the home of flaming candle princesses, for a radio broadcast with British new wave pioneers, Ian Dury & the Blockheads.