Only Three Lads - Classic Alternative Music Podcast
Music
About
Only Three Lads is a lively podcast celebrating the Golden Age of Alternative Music from the '70s, '80s & '90s. Join Uncle Gregg, Brett Vargo, and a variety of ”Third Lads” as we share our Top Fives, stories, and news about the music we love, and have a lot of fun along the way! Whether you‘re into indie, punk, new wave, Britpop, power pop, synth pop, shoegaze, grunge...or whatever...there is going to be something for you to discover and love. Part of Pantheon Podcasts.
Episodes
- E332 - George Usher (Beat Rodeo, House of Usher) - Top 5 Self-Produced Albums
This week, we grab the reins on a discussion of self-produced albums; that is, records on which the artist takes control over their own vision and not only performs the music, but takes responsibility for the final production as well. Join…
- E331 - Parliament-Funkadelic Guitar Hero Michael Hampton - Top 5 Songs from the P-Funk Universe
Climb aboard the mothership...because we wants to funk YOU up! This week, we celebrate the music of the P-Funk universe - revolving around the nucleus of the George Clinton -led Rock & Roll Hame of Fame bands, Parliament and Funkadelic . J…
- E330 - The Melody Chamber - Top 5 Songs About Trains
Choo-chooooo! All abooooooooard! This train may not run on time, but it does run off the rails...and fast. This week, the Lads complete their "Metal MAY-hem" trifecta by covering the heaviest metal of 'em all: trains. Joining in on the fun…
- O3L Presents: Weekend Six Pack , Vol. 31 - Glitz & Grit with Johnny Iguana from The Claudettes!
The Only Three Lads podcast features an interview with Johnny Iguana of The Claudettes, discussing their new album "Garage Glamour," his score composition for "The Bear," and his experiences playing with various musicians. The episode incl…
- E329 - Ben Vaughn - Songs About Cars
Ben Vaughn joins the Only Three Lads podcast to discuss songs about cars, a recurring theme in music representing concepts like freedom and power. Vaughn, a singer-songwriter known for his eclectic style and radio show "The Many Moods of B…
- E328 - Buried Beneath Me - Top 5 Metal Albums for Alt-Rock Fans
In episode E328, Only Three Lads discusses metal albums suitable for alt-rock fans, featuring insights from V of the band Buried Beneath Me and a game distinguishing metal lyrics from Christian song lyrics.
- E327 - Bill Kopp (Author, What's The Big Idea?) - Top 5 Concept Albums...That Work Outside of the Concept!
Author Bill Kopp joins Only Three Lads to discuss his book "What's The Big Idea? - 30 Great Concept Albums". The episode focuses on concept albums that are still cohesive collections of songs even when separated from their overarching them…
- E325 - Robert Deeble - Top 5 Songs About or Inspired by Literature
Hope you like curling up with a good podcast, because this week we're all about books...well, specifically, songs that are about or inspired by literature. How high brow of us! Our Third Lad for this discussion is "literate folk-pop" singe…
- E324 - Anne Richmond Boston (The Swimming Pool Q's) - Top 5 Songs of 1972
We're gonna make you an offer you can't refuse...because this week, we go way back to discuss some of our favorite songs of 1972 with the marvelous Anne Richmond Boston from The Swimming Pool Q's ! Possessing a crystalline voice, Anne's jo…
- E323 - Top 5 "You'll Never Come Around" Songs
It's the darkest, most spiteful O3L yet! Thanks to an expected guest standing us up at the last minute, after 322 episodes of musical positivity, this week it's all about pushing each other's musical hot buttons. We each curate a list of f…
- E322 - Sgt. Splendor's Eric McFadden & Kate Vargas - Top 5 Songs This Messed-Up World Needs Right Now
What the world needs now...is O3L, sweet O3L! The lads are joined by guitarist/vocalist duo Eric McFadden and Kate Vargas — collectively known as Sgt. Splendor — to count down the top five songs this messed-up world needs right now. The co…
- E321 - Great Lakes’ Ben Crum - Top 5 Album 1-2 Punches
BIFF! This week, we're focusing on Album 1-2 punches...that is, albums where the first two songs knock you out. BANG! Our Third Lad is Ben Crum from long-running Elephant 6 band Great Lakes. POW! More than 25 years and eight records on fro…
- O3L Presents: Weekend Six Pack, Vol. 29 - Daylight Ravings Time - feat. Peter Pepper
It's the first full weekend of Daylight Savings Time here in (most parts of the) U.S. You bring the sunshine, and we'll supply the tunes! Brett Vargo chats with electropunk pioneer Peter Pepper about his journey from a "dirtbag punk kid" g…
- E320 - Frank Boscoe (The Ekphrastics, Vehicle Flips, Wimp Factor 14) - Top 5 "One and Done"
This week, we’re covering bands who released one…and only one…proper album in their career. Sometimes they say everything they need to say in one album long statement. Sometimes, they attempt to chase the same feeling of the first album an…
- E319 - Chuck Granata - Top 5 Alternative Crooners
Croon•er (n) ['kru:nər]: a singer, particularly a male one, who sings sentimental songs in a soft, low voice. Decades before Elvis, The Beatles, Michael Jackson, Justin Bieber, or Uncle Gregg captured the hearts, imaginations, and undergar…
- O3L Presents: Weekend Six Pack, Vol. 28 - Bullseye! with Nicole Laurenne (The Darts, Black Viiolet)
Get ready for six new tunes that hit the mark every single time! Speaking of bullseyes, this week we welcome the charming and talented Nicole Laurenne from "spooky kitten garagepunk" band The Darts and torch/soul/trip-hop project Black Vii…
- E317 - The Numbers' Terry & Larry Tutor - Top 5 Same Title, Different Songs
Recycling is good, kids. Sometimes that even applies to song titles, as we look at pairs of tunes that share a title. Totally random example: "The Promise" is a fantastic song by both The Numbers and When In Rome . OK, we can't get anythin…
- O3L Presents: Weekend Six Pack, Vol. 27 - Meet Banda AL9!
Spice up your Valentine's Day weekend with six proverbial vials of Love Potion No. 9...it's a brand new O3L Weekend Six Pack! This "show within the show" spotlights six new songs that we think you need in your life! Brett chats with the wi…
- E316 - Rousers' Jerid O'Connell - Top 5 '70s NYC Punk Obscurities
Ramones. Blondie. Television. Talking Heads. Patti Smith. New York Dolls. Everyone knows the big names that made New York City THE epicenter of American punk rock in the 1970s. But that's only a part of the story... For every band that "ma…
- E315 - Adam Sherman (Private Lightning, The Souls, Nervous Eaters) - Top 5 Frontmen
What makes a great frontman? A technically perfect voice? Good looks? Someone who can work the stage and crowd? Someone who oozes personality, charisma, and showmanship? Does your mind instantly go to classic frontmen like Mick Jagger, Rog…
- O3L Presents: Weekend Six Pack, Vol 26 - (Marc) Valentine's Day
Welcome to the first Weekend Six Pack installment of 2026 - the "show within the show" where we spotlight six new tracks that have rocked our proverbial knickers off! Valentine's Day is coming a couple weeks early this year, because we've…
- E314 - Punk Rock Pinball's Mike Felumlee (Smoking Popes, Alkaline Trio) & Stephanie Wysocki - Top 5 Bands Who Should Have Their Own Pinball Machine
Ever since we were young lads, we played the silver ball. From Pacific Beach to Scottsdale, we must have played them all. But you ain't seen nothing like this in any podcast hall. This week, these lads sure talk a mean pinball! Many musici…
- E313 - The Kingbees' Jamie James - Top 5 Road Trip Albums
Get your motor runnin', head out on the highway. Yup, this week we're looking for adventure...and whatever comes our way...because it's an O3L Road Trip! Everyone's piling in the van and bringing five albums with them. Our Third Lad this w…
- E312 - Jim Basnight - Top 5 Albums of 1990
Ah, 1990...the year of acid washed jeans, Beverly Hills 90210 , MC Hammer, Vanilla Ice, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Oh, and lots of Bea Arthur. Of course, none of which we really talk about on this episode. Instead, we're focusing on…
- E311 - Top 5 Albums of 2025
We're not quite ready to say goodbye to 2025 yet. Join Uncle Gregg and Brett as they celebrate some of the year's finest LPs...with YOUR help! Oh, and by the way...you think you're Andy Warhol, but you're not. Learn more about your ad choi…
- E310 - Top 5 Songs of 2025
2025: Was it a "Golden" year for songs or did it coast on the fumes of 2024's hits? This week, Uncle Gregg and Brett dive in to discuss their top songs of the year that was. Better yet, some of YOU chimed in with your opinions as well! Set…
- E309 - John Kosh's Top 5 Album Covers
Think about your favourite records. Go ahead. Chances are, one of the first things that popped into your head was the album cover. And it makes sense...who hasn’t studied an album jacket while listening to a record? Or scanned the track li…
- E308 - 6th Annual O3L Holiday Party! "Snowed in at the O3L Cabin"
’Twas the night of the O3L Holiday Party, and all through the cabin The drinks were a-flowin, and the friends were a-blabbin’ Meanwhile, the snow piled up, it was treacherous out there, And Bob Dylan’s words rang true, you ain’t going nowh…
- E307 - Tullycraft - Top 5 Cover Versions that are Better than the Originals, Vol. 2
Get ready for more petty arguments, hot takes and fisticuffs*, because we're back with more cover versions that we feel are better than the originals. Annie, are we OK? You betcha! Joining us for this discussion are two members of the icon…
- E306 - Giant Day - Top 5 Albums that Shaped Our Taste in Music
This week, it's all about personal growth with a side of nostalgia. We cover some of the albums that helped to shape or change our taste as music fans, consumers, and/or musicians with Derek Almstead ( Of Montreal, Olivia Tremor Control, E…
- An O3L Guide to Record Store Day - Black Friday 2025
Record Store Day - Black Friday is Friday, November 28, 2025. In this bonus episode, join O3L's Brett Vargo as he spotlights some of the releases that will appeal to classic alternative music fans. Hit our social media and let us know what…
- E305 - The Dears - Top 5 Albums of 2000, Part 2
**PART TWO** Life is beautiful! This week, we have the extraordinary honour to welcome the creative nucleus of Brett's favourite band of the 21st century... Murray A. Lightburn and Natalia Yanchak from Montreal's orchestral pop noir heroes…
- E304 - The Dears - Top 5 Albums of 2000, Part 1
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- E303 - Split Enz - Tim Finn & Eddie Rayner on ENZyclopedia Vol. 1 & 2
Stranger than fiction, larger than life...we are elated to welcome Split Enz singer/songwriter/pianist Tim Finn and keyboardist Eddie Rayner to O3L! This is gonna be a hard act to follow. Formed in 1972 in Auckland, New Zealand, Split Enz…
- E302 - Elf Power's Andrew Rieger - Top 5 Elephant 6 Obscurities
This week, we are heading back into the weird and wonderful world of the Elephant 6 collective - this time to talk about E6 obscurities. Yes, "obscurity" is relative. To the casual music fan, perhaps it's all obscure. We take it to mean th…
- E301 - The Shut-Ups - Top 5 Albums with 20+ Songs
Sometimes too much is just enough! This week, our criteria is simple…but that doesn’t make it easy. We're looking at albums with 20 or more songs - whether they are long or concise, and regardless of how many slabs of vinyl or hunks of dig…
- E300 - O3L's 300th!
Well, geez, you caught us feeling all nostalgic and celebratory. It's time for the landmark 300th episode of Only Three Lads! During this episode, you'll hear: Your messages! A special visit from the original Third Lad...Bueno! New music f…
- E299 - Acapulco Lips - Top 5 Beach Albums
Cowabunga, Moondoggie! Let's pack up the woody and go Huey at the beach! Whaddya say? Yeah, call it bad timing, call it wishful thinking, or call it wistful nostalgia for the bygone summer, but this week we’re having an O3L Beach Party! We…
- E298 - O3L / Big Stir Records Halloween Spooktacular - Top 5 Chilling, Thrilling Songs
You are a brave and adventurous soul... Surprise, all you groovy ghoulies and "eyeball eaters from outer space!" 'Tis the season to get spooky, so we're going "full-on witch mode" with our friends from Big Stir Records - label founders/mad…
- E297 - Genny Schorr (Author, All Roads Lead to Punk & '70s LA Punks Backstage Pass) - Top 5 All (or Mostly) Girl Bands
This week, we tip our hats to the trailblazing all (or mostly) girl bands of alternative rock. Speaking of the trailblazers, today’s ceremonial Third Lad certainly is one. As a musician and songwriter, Genny Schorr (aka Genny Body) was a m…
- E296 - Rebecca Pidgeon - Top 5 Musician-Actors
Well, dog our cats...it's a new episode of O3L! This week, lovin' is what EGOT, as we celebrate those artists who successfully traversed the worlds of music AND acting. And, it just so happens that our Third Lad today, Rebecca Pidgeon, has…
- E295 - Gun-Shy Butterfly - Top 5 Women-led Albums of the '90s
We like women. Not in a creepy way (usually)...we mean we really like music created by women. So, in our ongoing series of episodes celebrating women in alternative music, this week we are covering our top 5 women-led albums of the 1990s.…
- E294 - Splitsville - Top 5 Covers That Are Better Than the Originals
We've covered covers before, but this week we're really blowing our cover by covering covers that we feel are better than the originals. With such a controversial topic, you'd best believe that there are petty arguments, silent treatments,…
- E293 - The Rain Parade - Top 5 Debut Singles, Vol. 2
Who said you never get a second chance to make a first impression!?!? Well, we covered some of the best debut singles waaaay back in Episode 32...and now, five years later, we're back to revisit that topic. So take that, Head & Shoulders!…
- E292 - The Whimbrels - Top 5 Noise Rock Albums
Things are gonna get LOUD! This week, we turn the amps up to 11 and put the effects pedals on stun as we celebrate Noise Rock. What exactly is "noise rock" though?? At its simplest definition, it’s rock music that emphasizes noise - distor…
- E291 - doubleVee - Top 5 Family Bands
"Here's the story of a lovely couple Who are in a cool band they call doubleVee Allan & Barb Vest went on a podcast To discuss bands that are family. Here's the story of a groovy podcast, Hosted by two guys named Uncle Gregg and Brett They…
- O3L Presents: Weekend Six Pack, Vol. 25 - Music Is Our Mattress
It’s Labor Day Weekend here in the U.S. and for our friends in Canada. And you know what THAT means? That’s right…mattress sales from coast to coast! Slashing prices 50%, 60%, 70%! (Plus applicable tariffs.) Well, guess what we’ve got for…