World Wide Woozle episode #666

Welcome back. 

The one on the left was - in the middle, and the one in the middle was - on the right
Did you watch the Super Bowl? After having the amazing experience of attending an NFL game with DJ DJ in late 2024, and the associated research I did prior, I understand a bit more of the game. From an outsider's point of view, the NFL is a spectacle totally made for television. Comparing it to other forms of football, I often reflect that it would be improved with less fluffing around between plays as well as coaching players to be able to tackle and catch. To be fair, it's a sport with a lot of the team having almost no skill other than being able to run into each other. It is also a multi-billion-dollar industry so someone must be enjoying it. The entertainment was amusing to say the least. We had Green Day who either censored themselves (unlikely) or were told which verse of American Idiot wouldn't cut the mustard. Then at halftime there was Bad Bunny, admittedly not my thing, with the requisite not so casual misogyny of a million dancers shaking their rear ends at the camera. My mate DJ DUG alerted me to the fact that the alternative halftime show was live via YouTube. One guy singing about how anything that wasn't old, or that he didn't like wasn't ok, Kid Rock doing half a song, and some cookie cutter country music. Dreadful. Let's hope that the AFL weren't watching. Remember when Prince played at half time? Now that was a show. 

Little River Band – Playing To Win - https://youtu.be/GbtiUrHUhRw

U2, and Blondie, and music still on MTV
Van Halen's album, 5150, was released in 1986. You can shove your David Lee Roth vs Sammy Hagar arguments where the sun doesn't shine. They are both excellent, and very different singers. This was Hagar's first album with the band, and it is an absolute ripper. I was excited to see that we are getting a 40th anniversary version with a whole lot of stuff including the concert, Live Without a Net. Seeing them play Summer Nights was the first time I remember seeing a headless guitar. For a short time, I had one but sold it. Never sell guitars folks, 99% of the time you'll regret it! Live Without a Net was the first VHS concert I owned and now having it available on BluRay will be pretty much worth the price of admission. I better keep an eye out for a deal!

Van Halen – Summer Nights - https://youtu.be/coDVcuVoINU

Across the universe
I remember the excitement in the late 70s that TVNZ managed to create around their broadcast of the original Battlestar Galactica TV series. I know I didn't watch it all the time, but I do have some memories of it and how cool it was. Seeing those Colonial Viper spaceships punch out from the launch tubes was just awesome. Yep, I've watched the more recent version as well, it has its moments. A while ago I was interested to see that Amazon Prime has the original twenty-four episodes available. I've been slowly working my way through them, and it's been a lot of fun. Yes, there are some seriously cheesy moments including the bicycle helmets painted gold, but the overall story generally holds up well. I'm almost at the end and I must say that if you enjoy sci-fi then you should have a look at this. It's a classic for a reason.

Divinyls – Science Fiction - https://youtu.be/AiCv9F_GRBA

My name it is a number, it's on a piece of plastic film
It might be time to consider upgrading the World Wide Woozle computing facilities. This Macbook Air is almost 10 years old and is just starting to slow down. I remember being given it, as a gift, and worrying if I'd enjoy computing on the dark side! I think it's been awesome but now I want to be able to use more up to date music recording software as well as having more than a couple of applications at once. I've discovered that an iPad can be used as a secondary monitor with most recent Mac products which is cool and I think I'll stay on this side of the divide. There may be a new Mac Mini in my future, but, being full of Scots blood, I do like to overthink major purchases!

Petra - Computer Brains - https://youtu.be/HpqCgnq_bAU

Don't need no credit card to ride this train
Nostalgia can be a lot of fun. It's 40 years since the first Back to the Future film was released. I may have mentioned before not being able to justify, or afford, the replica that Gibson has produced of the guitar that Marty plays at the Enchantment Under The Sea dance. Or indeed the specially released Casio calculator watch. So I was happy to find out that my mate Bing has the movies on BluRay and was happy to loan them to me. It really hit me how many pop culture references come from this film as well as how much fun it is. There is also a small LEGO version of the DeLorean which is now sitting in my place. I find LEGO is absolutely excellent for mindfulness as when I'm concentrating on a build, my mind rarely wanders. It seems to be a good tool in training my brain to focus for longer. The only downside is that there is only so much shelf space at HQ World Wide Woozle!

The Ramones – I Don't Wanna Grow Up - https://youtu.be/JtKEvR3qspM

Looking forward, looking back
Goodness me, there's a lot of looking into the past in this episode. I am also looking forwards, but physical limitations mean that a lot of what I might like to plan is on pause. A few months ago, I thought that it was on a permanent stop but now I see some light at the end of the tunnel. It's still a long tunnel, but there is hope. My bike might get to do more than sit in the spare room! There is so much good, new music around if you can wade through the AI slop and overly processed rubbish. For instance, Aussie prog band Karnivool have released their first album in thirteen years, Sleaford Mods have new stuff out, Megadeth's final album has hit the stores, and Meg Mac has a new long player coming in about nine days. It's not the best of times for me, but it's not the worst.

Meg Mac - Outdone - https://youtu.be/Pu73qmFywWo

Please don't forget these playlists that I have available:

• 365 days with the Woozle – Spotify or YouTube - I'm adding a song a day for all of 2026 (I hope)
• World Wide Woozle current listening playlist

Keep smiling,
The Woozle

"This can't go on, I must inform the law
Can this still be real, or just some crazy dream?
But I feel drawn towards the chanting hordes

Seem to mesmerize, can't avoid their eyes"

Iron Maiden, The Number of the Beast, 1984

World Wide Woozle - Albums that matter episode #4

Music fans, stalkers, groovers, here we are again.

Album # 4: The Lemonheads - It's A Shame About Ray (1992)

In 1992 I had never heard of The Lemonheads other than perhaps their 1989 cover of the Suzanne Vega classic, Luka. It was also a pivotal year in my life for many reasons. I ran away from the Army (I don't recommend this but it worked out in the end), and Alison and I got engaged. 

In the olden days, there were a couple of ways to get exposure to new music. Of course, at this time in Australia, Triple J radio had not long gone national and was essential listening. One could read the local music press which even in the relatively small market of Canberra was a significant influence via the free publication, BMA. Record shops were king, and here it was Impact Records. I spent a lot of time, and money, in this fantastic shop which sold every kind of music imaginable. I'd go in, knowing that two of my idols, Matt and Lucy from Armoured Angel, worked there, but was initially too shy to talk to them. I've only ever purchased two albums on the strength of hearing them playing in a shop. One was Sacred Reich's, The American Way and the other, well, keep reading. Oh, and I had to wait for Sacred Reich to finish on the store CD player because it was the only copy.

In 1991 Impact Records moved away from their original location close to Electric Shadows Cinema and The Terrace Bar. The new spot, in what is now the Civic Bus Interchange, was definitely more central, and larger, and for a while it was awesome until JB HiFi took it over.

Impact Records was fabulous. I remember calling them, from a payphone, during a holiday, to ensure that they would keep a limited edition Metallica box set aside for me. 

One fateful day in 1992 I was in the shop doing one of my favourite things, browsing. I was playing in an indie band by this time and the Canberra music scene was such that you were likely to meet someone you knew and then discuss what they were listening to. On this day, It's A Shame About Ray was playing and I remember being transfixed. Acoustic guitars mixed with a bit of grunge, folky melodies, and the energy. So I bought it and took it home. 

I was excited. No-one I knew had heard of this band and the album was magnificent. Then it happened. They released a cover of Simon & Garfunkel's, Mrs. Robinson, and hit the charts. My version of the album does not have this song on it, they added it a bit later. Suddenly everyone knew about them! We saw them live in March 1993 at the ANU Refectory. They played plenty of songs from the album, but to the crowd's disappointment, not that huge single. And they ended with a wall of noise that took the shine off a good evening.

It's A Shame About Ray was re-released in 2022 and it still stacks up in my opinion. One of my favourite all time lyrics is on this LP; "she's the puzzle piece behind the couch, made the sky complete".

For me, this album is about time and place as much as it is about the music and lyrics. At the time it was the kind of music I wanted to play in a band and we sort of got there with Lovesmudge.

The Lemonheads - Confetti - https://youtu.be/SOiTkEfNAPU

Thanks for reading this,

The Woozle

For those that came in late, the first three episodes are:
AC/DC - Blow Up Your Video
Jason Isbell - Southeastern

The Pogues - If I Should Fall From Grace With God

World Wide Woozle episode #665

Welcome back, please switch all phones to silent and attempt to live in the moment.

And you know that I love you, here and now not forever

Before I get into it, can I please remind all y'all of a playlist that I spend far too much time curating. 365 days with The Woozle has gathered no moss and now adds one song for each day of 2026. Some selections reflect my mood, but most are those that I unexpectedly find myself singing in my head. For those of you who don't use Spotify, I have also created the playlist over here at YouTube.

I paint a picture of the days gone by

My mate Garry, from Walthamstow, passed away a number of years ago. In the olden days before we had streaming music he would pop albums in the post that he thought I needed to hear. Only once did he recommend something I didn't like and that was Black Rebel Motorcycle Club. One group I could never thank him enough for introducing me too is Alabama 3. Some of you will know that one of their songs was used in the opening credits for the TV show, The Sopranos. I really like their mad mix of country music, acid house, and lyrics that mean something. Alabama 3 also has a particular drum and bass sound that is instantly recognisable, well to me at least. This is the new release from their rather groovy EP, Algorythm And Blues. 

Alabama 3 - Sex Machine Learning - https://youtu.be/-y55fTpIeEE

And I go back to December all the time

The truth is, this song was in my notebook for inclusion at a later date. It's one that I don't want to listen to if I am at all melancholy or sad. I'm in a good place though, and this is a truly beautiful song. 

Don Walker - The Way You Are Tonight  -  https://youtu.be/XD5F5MVRm94

Drive along these shit town lights

During the week I read some commentary from a friend who has been in and out of treatment for cancer over a number of years. One of the things that struck me was his feeling that some of his friends had become burnt out by his experience. He wasn't angry or even cross, he understood. I don't have cancer, but I think I've been burning people out too. It has been weighing heavily on my mind and I had a chat with my psychologist about it in an attempt to gain some perspective. So, if you're here reading and totally over hearing about what I'm going through then I understand and I'm dialing it back. I have other outlets, and I apologise. Thanks for sticking around in whatever form that has taken. The good news is that, after almost seven months, I feel that there is room in my brain for some positive things, and less of a compulsion to punish and hide myself away. Enough about that, I love youse all.

Kasey Chambers - A Love Like Springsteen - https://youtu.be/37VryZq_-_Q

That's all for this time folks. Thanks for being here.

The Woozle.

"Talk to myself for hours, yeah..."

Nothing But Thieves, Flowers (Miley Cyrus cover), 2023

World Wide Woozle - Albums that matter episode #3

I'm sorry. I started this occasional series 364 days ago and I've only managed to publish two episodes. What can I say except that life got in the way.

For those that came in late, the first two episodes were:

• AC/DC - Blow Up Your Video (109 views at 17 Jan 2026)

• Jason Isbell - Southeastern (78 views at 17 Jan 2026)

Thank you to the hardy souls that braved my blethering and read those episodes. And now, onwards, or is it backwards?

Album # 3: The Pogues - If I Should Fall From Grace With God (1988)

Yes, we're back in 1988. Loads of people will have written about how the music we listen to in adolescence is pivotal and this episode continues that theme.

To recap, 1988 was my final year of school. I was already a very big AC/DC and rock music fan and had spent a couple of years being the one man band behind a weekly radio "broadcast" at school. Music news wasn't all that easy to come by in country Victoria. The only radio we got was local commercial stations and sometimes an FM broadcast out of Melbourne. 3RRR, independent radio wasn't something we could receive. One lifeline was the local community FM station, 3GCR aka Gippsland FM. Music magazines were limited to things like 'Smash Hits', the 'Countdown' publication and 'Rolling Stone'. I didn't have ready access to these although I did cop stern glances at newsagencies in Moe and Warragul for reading too many pages without making a purchase.

I'd never heard of The Pogues when, sometime towards the end of the year, I read a short review of their latest album, If I Should Fall From Grace With God. Not long after I was in the record shop looking for a birthday present for my Dad. That year he'd taken me to see Battlefield Band, which was a real eye opener for me. It was a combination of traditional Celtic music and more modern folk. I imagine at the time that I thought The Pogues might be in a similar vein so the cassette was duly purchased. I don't remember much about Dad's initial reaction to it other than him being sceptical of banjos being played slowly! 

I assume you all know what a gateway drug is? For me, If I Should Fall From Grace With God turned out to be the musical equivalent but without the negative consequences. It's an album that I can sing all the words to and that remains often played whether it's on CD or streaming. I really should add an LP record copy to my collection. The combination of traditional and modern instruments, folk, rock and punk influences, and lyrics that tell stories really drew me in. About a year later, when I had a CD player and some disposable income, I purchased a copy of Rum, Sodomy and The Lasha, which is a complete riot.

Before I'd made my own discovery of The Pogues I remember talking to one of my favourite teachers about music and how I felt a bit lost. He reassured me that one day I'd find people like me who enjoyed heavy metal, bagpipes, and folk music. I'm still looking, Ernie, but finding The Pogues and subsequently artists such as Billy Bragg, Dropkick Murphys, and Steve Earle make me feel less alone in the world. 

The Pogues - Turkish Song of the Damned - https://youtu.be/4LzQOlX7Xl8

Thanks for reading this.

The Woozle

World Wide Woozle episode #664

Welcome back, groovers. It's very hot today so slip, slop, slap and stay hydrated.

Ella Jenkins - Wade In The Water - https://youtu.be/hN3qIoG1MmQ

So I'm gonna write my words on the face of today...

Did you make a resolution for 2026 and break it just days later? 2025 was a year of unwanted changes for me so looking forward to 2026 has been interesting. I know some things I would like to do but the limitations on them are a bit out of my control. I've decided that for 2026 I will try to accept what life throws my way and simply do my best. I'm not going to set goals that can't be reached because all that does is make me sad. I want to be better at being grateful for what I have. I really, really, really would like to be able to ride my bike though.

Big Star - Thank You Friends - https://youtu.be/AIILzYKrwMA

Well, my name it is a number...

For a while now I've had a regular listening playlist available on Spotify. I publicise it here and there but really, it's getting very little traction. So for 2026 I thought I'd try something new. Often I wake up with a song in my head or find that one randomly creates an earworm at some point of the day. So, I present for your listening pleasure a new project, 365 days with The Woozle. I plan to add a song a day for the whole year. Will I manage to remain engaged and enthusiastic? Maybe. If you were a devotee of my regular listening playlist and would like it to continue please let me know. I don't need hundreds of people to listen, just one or two is more than enough.

Bobaflex - Hey You (Pink Floyd cover) - https://youtu.be/rm5eWLXW6l4

I've got to get my kicks some way...

The seemingly never ending rehab battle with my back continues. To be honest, for the majority of the Christmas break it was pretty good and I felt extremely optimistic. I got out a bit more and had a couple of short but enjoyable rides. Then, last Sunday things went (relatively) pear shaped again. I was sore and aching in a way I hadn't been for a few weeks. By early Monday morning it was the perfect storm of pain and mental distress. There were a few very low points but here we are almost a week later. Something that is helping quite a bit is a TENS machine. You slap some sticky electrode pads on your back, plug it in and turn it up. I'm quite shocked (great pun hey?) at how much it is helping. So, onward we plod.

Johnny Cash - The Mercy Seat (Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds cover) - https://youtu.be/XoJ0bAp4Eo8

Are you a user or being used...?

Artificial Intelligence is here to stay, at least until Skynet takes over the world and Sarah Connor has to save us. I recently had some fun photo editing with AI. I used it to clear up the background of an old photo of my Grandpa which worked out really well. Then I gave myself long hair and a beard. I've been bald since the early 2000s so it was amusing that some people thought it was real. I mean, the beard looks OK I guess but I've shaved almost every day since joining the Army at 17 and that's unlikely to change. 

  

Gary Numan - Metal (live) - https://youtu.be/tJaYR8GeM5o

Scanning the scene in the city tonight...

I found myself watching Billy Joel's Shea Stadium concert. It's a great show and is full of songs that weren't hits as well as the singles we all know well. When Billy introduced his bass player I thought that I recognised his name. Google was my friend and I was correct, Andy Cichon is an Australian musician and I remember him as the singer from a cool hard rock band called Judge Mercy. I've got their album on CD here so I imagine it will soon be time to treat the neighbours to that. 

Judge Mercy - Open It Up - https://youtu.be/tmieJ8WW-pA

That's all folks. See you next time,

The Woozle

"They put me in an institution, said it was the only solution

To give me the professional help to save me from the enemy, myself."

Body Count, Institutionalized (ST cover), 2014.

World Wide Woozle episode #663

Welcome back to all of you on Santa's naughty list.

Twisted Sister- Oh Come All Ye Faithful - https://youtu.be/YV-SpT69IZ8

Why'd you have to go and make things so complicated?

Ever seen a pedal steel guitar? If you've ever listened to country music then you'll have heard one for sure. I love the way they sound, maybe like a smooth guitar crying, but they are insanely complex. Two necks usually with ten strings each, eight pedals, and four levers. Here's a neat video detailing how it all works. Bucky Baxter from Steve Earle's band uses one here to great effect in this clip from 1986. The reason I'm mentioning these guitars is that I heard one on the new Pink Floyd release and it's awesome. They've released the 50th Anniversary version of Wish You Were Here and included in the extra tracks is this absolute gem...

Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here (Pedal Steel Instrumental Mix) - https://youtu.be/bRdM6B2Uoto

Here's something a lot more recent with some great pedal steel work. Interestingly enough, Bucky Baxter again!

Kacey Musgraves - It Is What It Is - https://youtu.be/X08mboeFqLw

And I do appreciate you being 'round...

A few weeks ago, one of my best mates dropped me a message to see if I had time to go to the guitar shop with him. I mean, do I need an excuse? He's been playing for a little while now and wanted to look for his first electric guitar. We had tons of fun playing Les Pauls, Strats, a Tele and a Gretsch hollowbody as well. It was great to go in on a weekday and have the opportunity to be left alone to see what felt and sounded right. In the end my mate ended up with a beautiful 2017 Les Paul Traditional. Through a clean amp and on the neck pickup it really sings. 

This got me thinking about getting my first electric guitar at Northern Music in Porirua. A guitar which I still have. I'm not sure I had much choice on the day other than the colour of the guitar. But I walked away with a red guitar, three chords and the truth and never looked back. Thanks Mum. Not long after that my slightly bemused Dad looked on as I trialled overdrive and distortion pedals in Melbourne. That little yellow box, also still in my possession, was so much fun. I'm very fortunate that both of my parents have always encouraged my love of guitars and music, even when it got loud!

Over the years I've been fortunate enough to be in a position to either help people choose guitars or to loan them something so that they can see how it feels and sounds. Guitar shops can feel overwhelming as can buying something second hand from a stranger. I was once asked why I wanted to spend a whole day helping someone else rather than being at home. I'm still recovering from that episode. Onwards...

The Screaming Jets - Helping Hand (live) - https://youtu.be/m2XkRmeGe4Q

Don't panic...

Recently I was watching a rather good TV series called Screw. It stars Jamie-Lee O'Donnell who some of you will remember from Derry Girls. To watch the second series, I needed to sign up to another streaming service but, the Scotsman in me noted that there was a seven day free trial. After finishing that series, and lamenting the fact that there is no third season, something caught my eye. This streaming service also includes Dad's Army in its catalogue. I watched a few episodes and it really perked me up. It's humour that is not loud, angry, vulgar or demeaning. There's so much of this that I haven't seen before and it really is very funny.

I'm nothing special, in fact I'm a bit of a bore...

It's almost Christmas and that means different things to us all. I'm super excited that I'll get to see Angus and Em on the 24th and then spend some time with some of my closest friends and dogs on Christmas Day. I've done massive family Christmases, which were a lot of fun, and also spent a few by myself, which I didn't like at all. So, however you choose to spend the day, if you celebrate or not, I hope it's ok. There's a lot of good in the world and for me Christmas is a day to reflect on that. Thank you to everyone who reads this, comments, interacts, or simply smiles and shakes their head at my neverending desire to share good music with you all. 

ABBA - Thank You For The Music (live) - https://youtu.be/qzfSjzgbAuQ

Rock on everyone,

The Woozle

"Once upon a time was a backbeat
Once upon a time all the chords came to life
And the angels had guitars even before they had wings
If you hold on to a chorus you can get through the night..."

Jim Steinman, Rock and Roll Dreams Come Through, 1981.

World Wide Woozle episode #662

Welcome back. There are spare blankets in the wardrobe and the wi-fi password is next to the complimentary tea bags.

Spotify wrapped...

Again Spotify has released all of our listening statistics for 2025 (before the year has finished). Apparently I used the service for 56,511 minutes or 39 days and that sounds feasible. I'm calling bulls*it on some of the other statistics though. There's an album supposedly in my top 5 that I doubt I've listened to more than a couple of times throughout 2025. I just wish their algorithms were a bit less predictable. I want them to suggest stuff I haven't listened to. Like this gem that DJ Lajos spun my way...amazing!

Suede - Sweet Kid - https://youtu.be/Q5oW9lGLRS8

I'm going to write more about the new Suede album in a later episode. I've listened to it a few times and it is fabulous. Now I'm waiting for a physical copy to land in my letterbox.

A lack of imagination...

Some media outlets and online writers used the Spotify Wrapped thingamajig to moan about their view of the Australian music scene. Comments along the line of there's nothing new that's any good. They are dead wrong. The corporate greed record company focused manipulation of algorithms and product placements are the problem. Fantastic new original music is out there, but you might have to go past Spotify recommendations and commercial radio to find it. I guess you also need to be open to the fact that there's more to life than the classics. Here's a link to a playlist I've put together which is 100% great Aussie releases from 2025.

Maddy Jane - Thylacine - https://youtu.be/fw3V0UmRAsw

Old man, take a look at yourself...

During the week I met up with a couple of guys I hadn't seen since the end of 1991. We all joined the military on the same day in 1989 and spent three years living in each other's pockets, including as section mates in 1990. Upon sitting down with Stu and Lavo it felt like the conversation had just started right up again and we'd never been apart. Granted, a lot has happened in the 34 years that have passed but it didn't matter. There's an unspoken bond there that I wasn't sure would still exist. 

Judas Priest - United (live) - https://youtu.be/6DmZUAbeWlM

Back on the streets again...

I've taken some tentative steps, or maybe pedal strokes, towards riding my bike. A couple of short rides were excellent and one slightly longer one made me a bit sore. It's an infuriatingly long process but it continues. The long term view is hard to maintain at times so thanks to everyone who is being more than patient with me.

Saxon - Back On The Streets - https://youtu.be/hQ2X2SOv-YI

Though we knew that we'd be seeing him again...

The Pogues are going to be in Australia and New Zealand next year. What a treat as folk music and punk combine in a musical riot. It's almost amusing that they are playing at the Sydney Opera House as opposed to a less salubrious venue. Will I go? I dunno. Let's see how I'm feeling physically before I commit. Even with Shane no longer with us the gigs are sure to be a hoot.

The Pogues - Sally McLennane (live) - https://youtu.be/ym-Oz0TMSb0

That'll do, I'm off to continue the search for which neighbour has hung the Christmas windchimes that make a horrendous noise 24/7.

Rock on,

The Woozle

"Nothing's ever loud enough to properly drown the demons out
It's a punishment to care, about anything this much..."

The Smith Street Band, Once I Was Wild, 2025