The Strange Brew - artist stories behind the greatest music ever recorded – Details, episodes & analysis

Colin ‘Smiley’ Petersen passed away on Monday, November 18, 2024, leaving behind a legacy that bridged the worlds of music and film.

Known as the original drummer of the Bee Gees, Petersen played an integral role during the group, contributing to their global rise. His time with the group included performances on hits such as ‘Massachusetts’, ‘To Love Somebody’, and ‘Words’ and their early groundbreaking albums including Bee Gees’ 1st. Beyond this, he first captured the public’s imagination as a young actor, starring in the Australian film Smiley, which gave him his nickname.

In recent years, Petersen had found a new audience through his work with The Best of the Bee Gees tribute show, for which he did a career spanning interview with Jason Barnard of The Strange Brew Podcast in July 2022:

The Bee Gees, 1967 (From left to right: Barry Gibb, Robin Gibb, Vince Melouney, Maurice Gibb, Colin Petersen.) Colin on recording in The Bee Gees

As time went on we would arrive in the studio with no song and I would have that opportunity of just sitting with them suggesting different tempos and stuff like that. I think the fact that a lot of those tracks came from nothing gave the tracks a real spontaneity… We would work the songs up, the five of us as a team, and again I think that that’s why the songs sound so coordinated. We never recorded separately. The only separate thing was the orchestra coming in after we got all our overdubs done.

Oh my god, we spent some time in the studio I can’t tell you. Sometimes we would go in there for four hours, the Gibbs would come up with nothing and we’d just pack it in and go home. Then we’d try again another day and maybe the the creative juices were really running that night we might get down three backing tracks.

Colin on his approach to drumming

I was really quite imaginative with my playing, but there were a lot of lot of drummers at the time that were technically much more advanced than I was. Look, Chuck Berry only probably knew four chords, right? So sometimes when you’re limited you’ve got to be creative.. I think you can overdo the technique and you get to a stage where you can’t see the wood for the trees. I’ve always been a song guy with drumming.

He is survived by his ex-wife Joanne and their sons Jaime and Ben. He will be remembered for his warmth, wit, and unwavering passion for the arts.

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Tony Banks reveals the creative exploration that defined Genesis’ sound and his personal foray into orchestral music. From early influences that shaped the band’s evolving approach to reflections on composing landmark tracks like ‘Firth of Fifth,’ Tony shares stories that go deep into his and Genesis’ legacy.

Further information

Tony Banks – 18 Pieces For Orchestra 7-6-5

Tony Banks podcast tracks

Podcasts also available: Tony Banks (2019), Steve Hackett (2022), Steve Hackett (2020), Anthony Phillips, Bill Bruford, Chester Thompson

This podcast is also available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and all usual platforms

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Chris Leslie shares a selection of his favourite songs with Fairport Convention and reflects on his highlights with the group. He discusses his approach to songwriting and the experience of performing Dave Swarbrick’s parts during Fairport’s ‘Full House’ Cropedy performance. Chris also reveals what makes Fairport Convention’s legacy as a touring band so unique, as they embark on their Autumn 2024 UK tour.

Further information

Fairport Convention’s Autumn 2024 UK Tour

Chris Leslie podcast tracks

Podcasts also available: Simon Nicol (2023), Simon Nicol (2017), Dave Pegg, Iain Matthews, Andy Roberts, Martin Barre – Jethro Tull, John Helliwell – Supertramp

This podcast is also available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and all usual platforms

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We’re joined by legendary guitarist and songwriter Martin Turner, who was a founding member of the iconic rock band, Wishbone Ash. Martin talks to us about his time in music and two albums that have passed their 50th anniversary. Wishbone Ash’s legendary LP, Argus, has a new box set, and Martin and his band’s tour is commemorating the double album Live Dates.

Further information

The super deluxe edition of Argus features 2 LPs, 3 CDs, 7” single, DVD and 48-page book with rare photographs and extensive liner notes & contributions from Martin Turner, Andy Powell, & Steve Upton. Available here: WishboneAshMadfish.lnk.to/argus50

Martin Turner (ex Wishbone Ash) tour dates

Martin Turner podcast tracks

This podcast is also available on Apple Podcasts, Google and all usual platforms

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In this episode, we had the pleasure of speaking with Geraint Watkins. Geraint is a gifted musician and songwriter with a storied career as both a solo artist and a sideman to some of the most iconic names in music, including Paul McCartney, Bill Wyman and Van Morrison. Watkins may have been one of the best-kept secrets in UK music, but his latest release Aide-mémoire, is set to change all of that. Take a listen to the Welshman who Bob Dylan described as his “favourite English piano player.”

Further information

geraintwatkins.com

Geraint Watkins podcast tracks

Also available on The Strange Brew: Andy Fairweather Low, podcast archive

This podcast is also available on Apple Podcasts, Google and all usual platforms

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We explore the world of Goth music and culture with John Robb, author of The Art Of Darkness: The History of Goth. John provides a comprehensive overview of the Goth scene, from its origins in post-punk to its lasting legacy today. He starts his account with the goths sacking Ancient Rome and goes on to cover gothic literature and the musical influences and impact of bands like The Doors, The Velvet Underground, David Bowie, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Sisters of Mercy, The Cure and Bauhaus.

Further information

Order ‘The Art Of Darkness: The History of Goth’ via Bandcamp and Rough Trade

The History of Goth podcast tracks

See also Strange Brew podcasts with Rat Scabies – The Damned, James Williamson – Iggy Pop and The Stooges, Will Sergeant – Echo & the Bunnymen and Woody Woodmansey – David Bowie

This podcast is also available on Apple Podcasts, Google and all usual platforms

If you like what I do please support me on Ko-fi

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We speak with Toby Amies, the director of the new documentary film In the Court of the Crimson King: King Crimson at 50. The film explores the challenges and triumphs of being in one of the most demanding and creative rock bands in history. Toby shares his insights into Robert Fripp, the group, and its themes of art, discipline and mortality.

Further information

In the Court of the Crimson King rolls out to over 70 locations in the UK and Ireland from 7 April: itcotck.com/screenings

King Crimson at 50 podcast tracks

Podcasts also available on The Strange Brew – Jakko Jakszyk (1), Jakko Jakszyk (2), Bill Bruford, Gordon Haskell, Andy Gill

This podcast is also available on Apple Podcasts, Google and all usual platforms

If you like what I do please support me on Ko-fi

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Join us for a dive deep into The British Psychedelic Sounds of 1967. David Wells, a music journalist and historian, will be sharing his insights on this fascinating era of British music history. In this episode, we explore big hitters of the era such as The Who, The Tremeloes and Traffic. We also discuss the inclusion of cult tracks from bands like Kaleidoscope, Nirvana and Tintern Abbey, as well material from future stars like David Bowie and Elton John. Peter Cook & Dudley Moore also provide the laconic final word on our groovy little scene.

Further information

Too Much Sun Will Burn: The British Psychedelic Sounds of 1967 Volume 2, 3CD Box Set

The British Psychedelic Sounds of 1967 podcast tracks

Also available on The Strange Brew – Peter Daltrey – Kaleidoscope (interview), Stuart Mackay – Tintern Abbey (interview), The British Psychedelic Scene 1966-1968, Eric Stewart – Mindbenders/10cc, Nirvana,

This podcast is also available on Apple Podcasts, Google and all usual platforms

If you like what I do please support me on Ko-fi

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Today we speak to Caleb Quaye, a legendary guitarist who has played with some of the biggest names in music. Caleb’s career began in the 1960s where he formed a friendship with a young Reginald Dwight, who would later become known as Elton John. Caleb’s guitar work can be heard on many of Elton John’s early albums and material by John Baldry, Pete Townshend, PP Arnold, Steve Ellis, The Beach Boys and Hall & Oates. He is a songwriter and producer in his own right and is responsible for the psychedelic classic ‘Baby Your Phrasing Is Bad’ and series of critically acclaimed albums with Hookfoot.

Further information

louderthanrock.com

Caleb Quaye podcast tracks

Podcasts also available on The Strange Brew: Davey Johnstone, Tony King, Billy Nicholls, PP Arnold, Steve Ellis, Mike McCartney, Andrew Loog Oldham

This podcast is also available on Apple Podcasts, Google and all usual platforms

If you like what I do please support me on Ko-fi

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In this podcast we sit down with Allan Clarke to discuss his highly anticipated album, I’ll Never Forget. Clarke takes us on a trip down memory lane with the lead track ‘Buddy’s Back’, a nostalgic tribute to the early days of rock ‘n’ roll. The song features the distinctive voice of Clarke and the songwriting talents of Graham Nash, and sees them singing harmonies together for the first time in decades, marking a significant moment for fans of The Hollies. In this episode, Jason Barnard delves deep into Clarke’s musical influences, his enduring friendship with Graham Nash, and his new album that draws on the experiences and memories that have shaped his life.

Further information

Allan Clarke’s new album I’ll Never Forget is released on April 7 2023.
Pre-order album: https://allanclarke.lnk.to/IllNeverForgetID
The full written interview of this podcast can be found here: Allan Clarke 2023

Allan Clarke podcast tracks

See also Strange Brew 2014 Allan Clarke interview and podcasts with Bobby Elliott and Mikael Rikfors

This podcast is also available on Apple Podcasts, Google and all usual platforms

If you like what I do please support me on Ko-fi

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