RIP Donnie

Bassist Rick Chudacoff's music career checks all the boxes. He started out in a great funky rock band in the late 70s called Crackin' that never hit it big, but released some great albums. From there. he and drummer Peter Bunetta began writing for, producing, and playing with several great artists and enjoyed a bunch of success for most of the 80s. The list includes "New Attitude" by Patti LaBelle, "Break My Stride" from Matthew Wilder, and "Steal Away" from Robbie Dupree. There are also stints with people like Michael Jackson, the Temptations, Smokey Robinson, Alison Krause and New Edition. Rick's name is one of those that's hard to miss when pouring over the liner notes of loads of your favorite albums. This week we get to hear his story. Enjoy!  www.patreon.com/c/thehustlepod

We're re-releasing our Episode with Richard Lloyd and Chris Stamey, in memory of former guest, Richard, who passed away Saturday November 7th.

We've got another fascinating episode with a decorated A&R man. This week it's Peter Lubin! Peter's career includes stops at Mercury, Columbia,  Polygram, RCA and Elektra and features stories with the likes of John Hiatt, Peter Gabriel, the Moody Blues (he signed Peter and the Moodys on the same day!), Paul McCartney, Brian Wilson, the Everly Brothers, and the Eagles. He also discusses what went into signing acts like Robert Cray, the Ocean Blue, Michelle Shocked, Martin Briley and more. There is so much here and it's all pure gold. Enjoy!    www.patreon.com/c/thehustlepod

Stiff Records founder and label chief Dave Robinson returns this week to discuss the Madness "documentary" he directed back in 1981 called Take It Or Leave It that has recently been restored and released on DVD/Blu-Ray and is currently playing special screenings in theaters across the UK. Dave made this film - part scripted narrative/part origin story documentary - 45 years ago as a way of telling the story of how the band came together during their first wave of massive success. This fascinating piece of rock history shows the seven distinct personalities of the Nutty Boys as well as some of the studios and small clubs where they got their start. Not to mention the gray and somewhat depressing UK of the early 80s. The film has been newly restored in gorgeous 4k and available for purchase for the first time. He's also hoping to get more special screenings scheduled around the world. If you care about Madness, you have to see this movie!    https://www.madness.co.uk/2026/07/30/madness-take-it-or-leave-it-1981-film-restored-by-bfi/ https://www.bfi.org.uk/bfi-film-releases/madness-take-it-or-leave-it-4k-restoration https://www.patreon.com/c/thehustlepod

Songwriter Bruce Cockburn remains one of Canada's finest musical exports. His unique vision and approach to songs has been there since his debut album in 1970. Always more interested in talking about the state of the world than the state of the heart, Bruce has recorded thought-provoking classics like "Lovers in a Dangerous Time", "Wondering Where the Lions Are" and "If I Had a Rocket Launcher." He joins us this week to talk about his new album (his 26th!) called The Blood of Others, which sees him covering songs he grew up on in a stripped back style. To honor Bruce, we're joined this week by our friend Ben Montgomery, host of the Records Revisited Podcast (and the biggest Bruce fan we know). It's fascinating to hear how this legend's mind works. Enjoy! www.brucecockburn.com www.patreon.com/c/thehustlepod

In memory of former guest, Donnie Iris, who passed away, October 26

We have a twofer this week for the deepest of music lovers. First up is Danny Klein, bassist for the incredible J. Geils Band. Legend is they were one of the greatest live bands of all time and were finally starting to have huge hits in the early 80s when lead singer Peter Wolf left for a solo career. Danny tells us about the band's history and what he's up to these days. Then things get interesting. In the early 80s there was a great (though largely unknown) post-punk band out of Rochester New York called New Math. They released a couple albums, but then they decided to completely change their sound, which led to a name change. Now known as the Jet Black Berries, the band had more in common with groups like Social Distortion and Jason and Scorchers. Unfortunately, as great as both bands were, neither lit up the charts and the group faded away. Thanks to a remastering and re release campaign by Propeller Sound Recordings, the band is seeing some new interest. Guitarist Gary Trainer and drummer Roy Stein tell us all about it this week. Enjoy!    www.jgeilsband.com www.thejetblackberries.bandcamp.com www.propellersoundrecordings.com www.patreon.com/c/thehustlepod

Out of the gate, De La Soul changed the rules of hip-hop with their revolutionary debut album, 3 Feet High and Rising. The D.A.I.S.Y. Age was just starting to blossom when Trugoy, Posdnuos, and Mace (with the help of producer Prince Paul), began deconstructing the movement they had just started. Although they released several incredible rap albums after that, they never stayed in one place for long and continue to push the limits of what hip-hop can be, but never as much as those early days. Were they "bullied" into going in different directions? Were they not adequately displaying "black masculinity"? Author Austin McCoy's new book dissects their career, what it's meant in the black community, and how it influenced him to become who he is. If you were impacted by De La Soul back in 1989, this book might tell part of your story too. Enjoy!  www.austincmccoy.com www.simonandschuster.com/authors/Austin-McCoy/212730757 www.patreon.com/c/thehustlepod  

Colin Moulding's contributions to the great XTC were crucial to making that band what they were. Andy Partridge's leadership, personality and songwriting was the main driver, but Colin had a bigger pop sensibility and is responsible for some of the band's most enduring radio songs like "Making Plans for Nigel," "King for a Day," and "General and Majors". Colin has stayed largely out of the spotlight since the band ended in the 90s and has been happy working with friends on various projects here and there. He recently released a new single called "Want It Bad (The Pep Talks of Playing Fields of Old England)" which was inspired by a chat he had with a grandchild. Colin joins us this week to discuss the new song and why he's comfortable exactly where he in his in career right now. His answers might surprise you. Enjoy!  www.patreon.com/c/thehustlepod  

Musician David Gamson was just a guy who really liked r&b. His love for the genre compelled him to write songs, produce artists, and make music that pushed the boundaries of what it could be. Nowhere is this more obvious than when he worked with Green Gartside on Scritti Politti's second album, Cupid & Psyche 85, one of the greatest albums of the decade. Their partnership carried over to the less successful follow up, Provision, and the 1999's Anomie & Bonhomie. But, the success of C+P made David in demand with artists like Al Jarreau, Sheila E., Donny Osmond, Michal McDonald, Angie Stone, Chaka Khan and - the biggest successes of his career - Kesha and Kelly Clarkson who recorded "Stronger" and changed his life. In this very loose and fun conversation, we discuss how these each happened, his feelings about his older material, the new Deluxe Edition of C+P, and his long partnership with Meshell Ndegeocello, including her new album, Synonym. Enjoy!  www.patreon.com/c/thehustlepod