x

75% of people globally want unbiased news (Pew Research) but are concerned they're not getting that.

Get balanced coverage with Symby. See how stories are covered across diverse outlets and spot when one side covers a story the other skips.

PODCAST

In The Past: Garage Rock Podcast

Weldon Hunter & Erik Komarnicki

The usual format is this: we pick a song from the 1950s or 1960s (genres range from garage, R&B, Girl Groups, Motown and Doo-Wop), and discuss three versions of that song, or sometimes we just play a song we haven’t heard before and react to it. We’ve covered classics like “Little Bit o’ Soul” and “Psychotic Reaction” to rarities like “Jump and Dance” by the Carnaby, and “Ringo I Love You” by Bonnie Jo Mason (aka Cher). Our aim is to discuss what makes these songs interesting, ineffable, or even

music music commentary

All Episodes

105:49

I Wanna Be Free

In The Past: Garage Rock Podcast ·

2026/04/13

Some minor audio issues this week - Weldon's mic is too hot! - but it's tempered by a gentle song by The Monkees - "I Wanna Be Free" from 1966. Infact, they did two versions - the first is sweet, simple and stringy with a vocal by Davy Jones, the second is Dylan-bait with Mickey Dolenz singing. Mod and The Rockers from Virginia did a garage version in '67, and then there's a soulful gender-flipped version by Vivian Reed from '68. Finally, another in our growing list of unlikel...

en-us

124:10

Psychotic Reaction

In The Past: Garage Rock Podcast ·

2026/04/03

Let's go crazy! This week's pick is "Psychotic Reaction" originally by The Count Five - a song which has to be in the Top 10 of all-time garage toonz ... a Yardbirds-style rave-up with great drums & atmospheric harmonica wails. Two versions, also from 1966, follow hot on the caped ones' heels - Texans Positively Thirteen O'Clock (who are actually Mouse & The Traps under a different name) and budget-rockers The Fire Escape. Labelmate Brenton Wood jumped on the ...

en-us

117:12

Little Girl by Syndicate of Sound

In The Past: Garage Rock Podcast ·

2026/03/28

The Syndicate of Sound's 1966 hit "Little Girl" is a well-known garage nugget and we hopscotch through a bunch of other versions by The Five Kinetics, The Dead Boys, The Banned, The Divinyls, and Dwight Yoakam.

en-us

155:19

Cool Jerk

In The Past: Garage Rock Podcast ·

2026/03/22

It's time to dance again! and this week our dance card starts with The Capitols' 1966 hit "Cool Jerk." Erik has a hard time getting over the song's origins and we both blow a gasket over D. Storball's high octane vocal performance. The Creation mod-ified the song the next year and then it's fast forward to the 80s to hear The Go-Go's sprightly rendition. We found a pretty wild, high school drama club version by the excellently named Seekers of Justice (shout out to Miss Brown!) ... then...

en-us

119:54

Songs About Johnny

In The Past: Garage Rock Podcast ·

2026/03/13

Here's Johnny!!!! Our latest theme episode features songs about one of the most rock'n'roll names ever. But you wouldn't call "Johnny Angel" by Shelly Fabares rock, though it'll grow on you, unless you're a total yutz ... Song 2 is "Johnny B. Goode," a version of Chuck Berry's immortal rockin' classic performed by Cumberland, Rhode Island combo The Mards ("mods" with a Northeastern US accent)!. Michigan folk-punkers channel The Byrds on their rendition of the American Civil War chanty "W...

en-us

99:41

Hey Tiger

In The Past: Garage Rock Podcast ·

2026/03/07

Look, there's no time for a long descripto, there's a tiger in them thar hills! This week's tune is "Hey Tiger," originally done by the rather capable jazzbos-turned-garagers The Topsy Turbys. Hear their wild story and sounds here! Then stay tuned for a boffo 80s revival version by podcast saints The Tell- Tale Hearts. Finally, we set the tiger trap for a third version by contempos The Wyld Gooms! Put a tiger in your tank!

en-us

99:25

Is Vic There?

In The Past: Garage Rock Podcast ·

2026/02/27

The night is young, the mood is mellow, and there's music in our ears ... namely, the 1980 postpunk gem "Is Vic There" by Department S. We discuss the enigmatic lyrics and the surrounding lore of this everdark tune. There's also a version by Trolleybox, a surprising appearance of Clan of Xymox on this (or any!) garage rock podcast, and a totally groovy R&B rendition by Curtis Baker and the Bravehearts. Ow-ow-ow-ow-ow-awoo!

en-us

110:12

I Ain't No Miracle Worker

In The Past: Garage Rock Podcast ·

2026/02/20

Back to the garage this week for a five-pack of versions of "I Ain't No Miracle Worker." The Annette Tucker/Nancy Mantz penned tune (they wrote "I Had Too Much Too Dream Last Night) was originally waxed by The Brogues in 1965. The Everyman, gruff vocals will put hair on your chest and the precise playing will make you think these guys can move mountains. An even more macho take comes from Canada's Great Scots, and we can attest to Canadian masculinity, can't we?The singer ...

en-us

159:48

Dream Baby Dream

In The Past: Garage Rock Podcast ·

2026/02/13

We must have had too much too dream lately because we're leaving the 60s behind and starting in 1979 with Suicide's beautiful trance-drone, "Dream Baby Dream." It's a fingersnappin' rock n roll lullaby with electronics! Next up, Angel Corpus Christi's version wows us with the accordion! Bruce Springsteen swerves instrumentally and has the hypno-drone come from an old-timey pump organ. His version provoked some visceral reaction and we get into that ... More recently, Black Tam...

en-us

82:59

Rumours, Gossip, Words Untrue

In The Past: Garage Rock Podcast ·

2026/02/06

Here's a song that's been on the fabled Masterlist for years ... "Rumors, Gossip, Words Untrue", originally by The Knickerbockers. It's got a good riff, harmonies, chord changes, and a faux-sitar sound that will win you over, and it's from 1965!! The version that sparked the episode is by The Swinging Blue Jeans. Why are they wearing suits, if they're forever in blue jeans? Erik thinks there's more air in this one. It's a great example of Djling music. The third number is a teenybopper bubble...

en-us

50:54

Brad Berwick: I'm Better Than The Beatles

In The Past: Garage Rock Podcast ·

2026/01/30

He might not have made it into your history textbook, but Brad Berwick has recently emerged as one of the most controversial figures of the 1960s. While he may seem less impactful than LBJ or George Wallace, the fact that he sang a little ditty called "I'm Better Than The Beatles" has resulted in Youtube comment sections lambasting the former child actor. Listen to us listen to the song and talk about it - is it so bad to be Brad?

en-us

160:22

Sweet Jane

In The Past: Garage Rock Podcast ·

2026/01/24

What a riff! What great rock 'n' roll asides! What joy in the chorus!! It's "Sweet Jane" by The Velvet Underground! A cavalcade of covers by Brownsville Station, Lou Reed (solo from '74), Eater, Friends Again, and of course, Cowboy Junkies. This is one of the episodes where we crack the code and tell you what the lyrics mean so listen and find out! Smoother than a Stutz Bearcat ride!!

en-us

115:31

I Only Have Eyes For You

In The Past: Garage Rock Podcast ·

2026/01/16

It's time for a beautiful song this week... namely, "I Only Have Eyes For You" by Harry Warren (composer) and Al Dubin (lyrics). We start with the original by Dick Powell in 1934 and listen to us tell you about the 1930s style of crooning! But we're back on familiar ground with the most famous version by Doo-Woppers The Flamingos, from 1959! The most beautiful nocturnal song of all time (take that My Bloody Valentine!) We also feature versions by Art Garfunkel (70s), Zapp & Roger (8...

en-us

147:39

Surfin' Bird

In The Past: Garage Rock Podcast ·

2026/01/09

Our word on the Bird this week - "Surfin' Bird," that is! We have to start with two songs by The Rivingtons: "Papa Oom-Mow-Mow" & "The Bird's The Word," which laid the foundation for future ornithological madness. After seeing The Sorenson Brothers (formerly The Revels) perform a mash-up of the two songs, The Trashmen added the tune to their repertoire and the rest is history! We also have a sighting of The Cramps and their version in this episode. This episode is not a lame duck!

en-us

101:04

Victoria!

In The Past: Garage Rock Podcast ·

2026/01/03

Over the holidays, we were in Canada's Royal City - Victoria, BC - and Erik suggested we take on The Kinks song of the same name. She reigned for 63 years so her impact was large, on both Ray Davies and the city of the newly wed & nearly dead! Mexico's Los Rockin Devils covered the song the same year and we don't speak Spanish, but we think they changed the lyrics to make it a love song. If it has a [Tex-]Mex-style organ, we don't care! In the US, Little Roger & The Goosebumps made a ...

en-us

87:50

Fifth Annual Bo Diddley Awards!

In The Past: Garage Rock Podcast ·

2025/12/28

It's time to celebrate the brightest and Bo Diddliest of 2025 on our Year-End roundup! Categories this year are ... Bo Diddliest Song From a Series Episode Bo Diddliest Cymbal Work Bo Diddiest Song From a Theme Episode and the one everyone really waits for ... Most Insane Song!! Thanks to all the Pastronauts and see you in 2026!

en-us

133:33

Christmas Spirit!

In The Past: Garage Rock Podcast ·

2025/12/19

It's less than a week before the big day, so let's get the big ball of twine out to wrap up some Xmas gifts, starting with The Wailers, who are out of their (Christmas) tree once again to lambaste the consumerism of the holiday season with the Dylan-esque "Christmas Spirit" ... a couple of Yuletide yowlers by The Hallmarks and the freaky-peaky A440 follow. Santa's sleigh propels into the 70s with a "reason for the season" number by Alex Chilton & Big Star is next,...

en-us

102:24

Please, Please, Please

In The Past: Garage Rock Podcast ·

2025/12/11

Pastronauts have been asking "Please Please Please" for a new episode, so here's James Brown & The Famous Flames' 1956 debut ... what a way to begin a career! He basically sings two words the entire song and it's an unequalled vocal performance. After that, we have renditions by The Five Royales and a bizarre one by Ike & Tina Turner which is more speech than song. Sprinkled in are some garage versions by The Viceroys (Pacific NW band in the vein of ...

en-us

90:57

2 Good 2 Ignore: Too Many Lovers

In The Past: Garage Rock Podcast ·

2025/11/30

Back to our roots this week for a two-pack! "Too Many Lovers" - an original 1966 song by Manchester/Netherlands beat combo The Scorpions and the only cover we could find anywhere - The Tell Tale Hearts from 1987. We dive deep into the tune and also ruminate on the commerciality (or lack thereof) of garage rock. A real throwback! We said!!!

en-us

110:13

Mind Rockers!

In The Past: Garage Rock Podcast ·

2025/11/22

Another theme episode! This time we explore 60s garage & psych tunes that aim to rewire your mind ... you're going to have a Herculaneum cranium after hearing all the mind-blowing riffs and sounds that permeate these 6 (!) tunes!!

en-us

268 results

Similar Podcasts

Pasquale Maassen Soundcloud

Pasquale Maassen

Marian Klose

Marian Klose

sevenism

sevenism

Dean Delray"s LET THERE BE TALK

Cactus Radio Network

Word In Your Ear

Mark Ellen, David Hepworth and Alex Gold