Friends and Music with Brian Doherty

Graham is a bass player and long-time band member with Joe Jackson. This is Part 3 of our discussion. Kindly support my endeavors with a like, a share, or a comment. Also follow me on Instagram and TikTok @domanondrums.

     A video-audio rendition of this podcast is available on my Youtube channel here: UCVVqtfTwNVg590TbfndMR_Q      Today’s guest is bassist Graham Maby. His association with British musician Joe Jackson began in 1973 when they became members of a local Portsmouth cover band. Five years later Jackson’s solo recording career took off, with Graham’s bass playing front and center on albums like Look Sharp! and I’m the Man. Jackson’s biggest-selling album came in 1982, with the million-selling Night and Day. The success of the album firmly established Jackson as an artist and Maby’s reputation as a versatile bass player.      Since 1983, Graham has lived in the USA. During that time, as well as working on numerous albums and tours with Jackson, he has recorded and performed live with many different artists, among them: Marshall Crenshaw, Natalie Merchant, Jon Bon Jovi, Bruce Springsteen, Joan Baez, Ian Hunter, Freedy Johnston, They Might Be Giants, Henry Lee Summer, the Silos, Graham Parker, Darden Smith, Dar Williams, Garland Jeffreys, Joy Askew, and Regina Spektor.

A video rendition of this podcast is available on my Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVVqtfTwNVg590TbfndMR_Q W2 creates hook driven, infectious pop-rock!  Inspired from the classic rock anthems we grew up on but infused with a contemporary pop edge! W2 is a new project from the songwriting team Joe Walden and Phil Went (the "W's" in "W2").  Born out of lockdown, W2 was a chance for us to collaborate with musician friends who have been part of our musical journey.  Early in quarantine, we started working on a group of new songs written as a reflection of the times we were living through and the feelings that the experience inspired.  Both Phil and Joe have worked on various musical projects over the years, performing together with the bands Signal 2 Noise and Ghost Pepper in a variety of local venues, most notably opening for national acts at The Chance Theater in Poughkeepsie. We're happy to announce that W2 has just released our brand new album "4 Corners of a Circle" - available for streaming everywhere and on limited CD release! You can hear the album in its entirety, as well as visit our social media and view our videos, here: https://w2.hearnow.com/ Or visit our YouTube channel directly: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdTdo52wmh1AG7EAkPN4nPw You can visit our EPK here: https://www.reverbnation.com/a_w293?profile_view_source=header_icon_nav We were recently featured in The Journal News/LoHud...you can read the story here to find out a bit about us: https://www.lohud.com/story/entertainment/2022/02/11/rocker-dads-4-westchester-fathers-band-together-release-debut-album/6724657001/ As well as the article that featured in The Examiner: https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=5563790456967699&set=a.113918475288285 4 Corners of a Circle Available Now! https://w2.hearnow.com/

Graham Maby was born on September 1, 1952 and grew up in the small English south coast town of Gosport, near Portsmouth. His musical “awakening” happened at age ten when he heard the Beatles’ first single “Love Me Do” on the radio. Six years later he taught himself to play guitar, then bass. His association with British musician Joe Jackson began in 1973 when they became members of a local Portsmouth cover band. Five years later Jackson’s solo recording career took off, with Graham’s bass playing front and center on albums like Look Sharp! and I’m the Man. Jackson’s biggest-selling album came in 1982, with the million-selling Night and Day. The success of the album firmly established Jackson as an artist and Maby’s reputation as a versatile bass player. Since 1983, Graham has lived in the USA. During that time, as well as working on numerous albums and tours with Jackson, he has recorded and performed live with many different artists, among them: Marshall Crenshaw, Natalie Merchant, Jon Bon Jovi, Bruce Springsteen, Joan Baez, Ian Hunter, Freedy Johnston, They Might Be Giants, Henry Lee Summer, the Silos, Graham Parker, Darden Smith, Dar Williams, Garland Jeffreys, Joy Askew, and Regina Spektor. Graham co-produced Freedy Johnston’s breakthrough album Can You Fly in 1992, and has had small roles in two major movies, Peggy Sue Got Married (1986) and The Joker (2019). He has two children, Claire and Pierce, and now lives with his third wife, Maureen, on Long Island.

Steve Sabet and Brian Doherty talk about songwriting, music education, and the joys of learning Logic, among other things!

Todd Mihan is an accomplished and exciting guitarist & singer-songwriter from the Hudson Valley, New York. Todd's Morning Jam video series has been waking up fans around the world every Thursday morning for over 370 straight weeks now. In each jam Todd showcases his six string prowess and genre versatility by sharing a new, exhilarating original guitar instrumental video to his social media pages.  He plays each instrument, mixes the new piece, and then films a single play-through guitar performance at his home studio in upstate New York weekly.  He recently released his fourth album titled 'Jams' - a collection of eleven guitar instrumentals inspired by his Morning Jam video series. Some of the bands Todd Mihan performs live with include his funky abstract cover band Albino Loves Slaves, The Easy Street Band and Professor Louie & The Crowmatix. YouTube = https://www.youtube.com/Todd Mihan Website = www.Todd Mihan.com Contact Brian - [email protected], Instagram @briandohertymusician

Today’s guest is singer/songwriter Freedy Johnston. Freedy’s one of those rare singer-songwriters who counts critics among his biggest fans — and whose heroes consider him a peer. In 1994 Rolling Stone named Johnston the ‘Songwriter of the Year’, describing him as “A master storyteller, (who) sketches out full-blown tragedies in a few poetic lines, and he joins that elite cadre of songwriters—Bob Dylan, Neil Young, and Elvis Costello.

This is Stephan Galfas’ FIRST interview! Stephan Galfas has worked with hundreds of artists, spanning over 5 decades, including Meat Loaf, The Allman Brothers, John Waite, and Kool and The Gang, to name only a few. He was also the owner of the House of Music in West Orange, NJ, a recording studio where dozens of classic albums were made. One such album Stephan produced at the House of Music was Tasty by the Good Rats. I first saw the Good Rats in the late 70’s at the Asbury Park Convention Center. They were the opening act and on a bill with Dicky Betts and Eddie Money. At first glance, they were an odd band with a caveman look. The lead singer sported gym shorts and wore knee high tube socks.  Most of the set he swung a baseball bat and sometimes smashed a metal garbage can with the bat. The rest of the band looked like they’d surely be on a modern-day no fly list. They played their asses off and were beyond entertaining. They exuded humor and irony. Their songs were a twisted mix of different genres, and reminiscent of KISS or Black Sabbath, with a touch of George Gershwin thrown in. Their set was tight, well polished. Background vocals were impeccable, in tune, well- rehearsed, with intricate arrangements and harmonies.  These guys were nothing short of total pros and played a 30 minute set with intent to slay the audience. And that they did. Soon after, I discovered that, although heralding from Long Island, NY, they were popular staples in the bars in northern New Jersey, near my hometown of Randolph. I would go on to see them live many times, mostly at The Showplace, in Dover, NJ where they were regulars. They never disappointed and I’ve been a serious fan ever since. From the very first moment that Stephan and I spoke together, it was all Good Rats. It seemed that after many years, he needed an outlet and to be heard about the Good Rats. The faucet opened on how they worked together, and how they produced a body of such unique albums of songs. From my end, my head was swimming with questions that my mouth couldn’t speak fast enough. I simply had too many. The conversation you’re about to hear is a bit long, yet I couldn’t justify editing it into 2 separate parts, as the interview flowed naturally from one point to the next. I hope you enjoy it. Let’s listen in.

Brad celebrated his 50th year of his first band gig this past June with 4,321 documented live shows. Brad is still drumming and songwriting with his band The Handcuffs who will be releasing their fourth album this year with no plans to retire. Brad has also been drumming for The Romantics for the past sixteen years and they call him the second original drummer with now being with the band almost three times as long as original drummer, Jimmy Marinos. Brad grew up in mid state Illinois in Pekin and Peoria, IL before moving to Champaign, IL with his band Screams, in late 1976. He details his varied and exciting career throughout our conversation. I want to welcome Brad to the show. Screams were signed in late 1978 and they released their debut album in 1979 on the short lived record label, Infinity/MCA. Screams toured with Van Halen for four months before heading to England to headline their own tour. In Brad's lengthy fifty career he has shared concert bills with hundreds of acts such as The Ramones, Cheap Trick, The Clash, Billy Idol, Psychedelic Furs, Blondie, B-52's, The Raspberries, Iggy Pop, on and on. Brad's next band, The Elvis Brothers released two albums on Portrait/CBS in the golden era of '80s MTV and also an independent album in 1992. From there he formed Big Hello with three albums and they were the darlings of the early IPO festivals in Los Angeles. Brad and his wife Chloe continued on to The Handcuffs who continue to perform live and release critically acclaimed albums. Brad is a self taught drummer who was drawn to the drumming style of Keith Moon from purchasing The Who single at the time, "I Can See For Miles". Young Brad inhaled any and everything by Moon and The Who along with other drum heroes like Ginger Baker, Ringo and John Bonham to name a few. Brad has been drum stick twirling, drum stick bouncing and drumming on many recording sessions and shows ever since. With a dozen albums released in his lengthy career, he has performed in thirteen countries and thousands of shows, Brad is now writing his book of his nonstop journey in rock and roll with more stories than you can shake a drumstick at. Meeting along the way, Bob Dylan, David Bowie, Pete Townshend, Carl Perkins, Charlie Watts and too many to name. Brad also sat in on drums a few years ago as guest drummer with The Beach Boys and The Bangles along with many other experiences which will be in his book. See you all in 2021.

My guest today is guitarist, composer, music educator, and music researcher, Steven Sabet. Steve embarked on his musical journey at the age of 10, learning to play his favorite rock songs on the electric guitar. He’s performed extensively in the New York area with various bands including indie favorites Darby Jones and the band MORE, where he not only played guitar but wrote the songs. He is also a member with the New York City Guitar Orchestra. In addition to these accomplishments, Steve is an academic researcher in the music education field. He holds a BM from The Hartt School of Music, MM from Florida State University and a PhD in Music Education from Rutgers University. Sabet teaches Guitar and Music Technology at the Thomas Jefferson Arts Academy in Elizabeth, NJ and is an Adjunct Professor at Kean University in Union, NJ. He continues to be an active teacher, performer, and recording artist. We welcome him to the show. Check out Steve's awesome work here: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2QQiwn9M3c7GPNpBcEqF2M?si=T6kTCZDbR7WdeapWJDbmTw https://www.reverbnation.com/stevesabet https://open.spotify.com/artist/08QYi9SYJQpIIQclGGxH1d?si=OK06fwbyQ4ubTHlZn0zALw