E322 - Sgt. Splendor's Eric McFadden & Kate Vargas - Top 5 Songs This Messed-Up World Needs Right Now

E322 - Sgt. Splendor's Eric McFadden & Kate Vargas - Top 5 Songs This Messed-Up World Needs Right Now

Author: O3L Media March 24, 2026 Duration: 1:38:38
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 conversation explores how music can heal, empower, and unite in difficult times. Guest Bios: Eric McFadden — A spellbinding guitarist with a catalog stretching back to the mid-'80s punk band Angry Babies. He's played with George Clinton & P-Funk All Stars, Eric Burdon & The Animals, Jackson Browne, Joe Strummer, Anders Osborne, Fishbone's Angelo Moore, among many others. Kate believes that Eric is one of the greatest guitarists of all time...and who are we to disagree? Kate Vargas — A singer-songwriter with five acclaimed solo albums, including Golden Hour in the House of Lugosi (2025). Known for her gritty voice and evocative storytelling. Eric believes that Kate belongs in an elite group of songwriters that include Bob Dylan, Tom Waits, and Leonard Cohen...and who are we to disagree? About Sgt. Splendor: Eric and Kate met at Pat McDonald's (of Timbuk 3 fame) Steel Bridge Song Fest at the Holiday Music Motel in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. Their collaboration blends hard rock, riff blues, junkyard folk, desert psychedelia, alternative funk, and carnival-esque vibes. Their third album, Isotopia, is out now on Mother West. Other Topics Discussed: The Soil Dove immersive circus/dinner show featuring Joan Baez Eric's personal encounters with Joe Strummer The origin story of Sgt. Splendor at Steel Bridge Song Fest The making of Isotopia Their cover of Harvey Danger's "Flagpole Sitta" Uh...Lou Bega. Music Featured: Sergeant Splendor — "Brave, Rough, and Ready to Go" Sergeant Splendor — "Play On" Connect: sgtsplendor.com facebook.com/onlythreelads Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dive into the sonic landscape of the '70s, '80s, and '90s with Only Three Lads-Classic Alternative Music Podcast. Hosted by Uncle Gregg and Brett Vargo, this podcast is a weekly conversation with a rotating cast of "Third Lads" who share their deep knowledge and personal passion for the era's defining sounds. Each episode feels like hanging out with friends who can't wait to tell you about a forgotten B-side or argue the merits of a classic album. You'll hear curated Top Five lists, behind-the-scenes stories, and spirited discussions that span the entire alternative spectrum-from the raw energy of punk and the shimmering hooks of power pop to the dense atmospheres of shoegaze and the gritty rebellion of grunge. The show thrives on discovery, whether revisiting a new wave classic or unpacking a Britpop phenomenon. More than just a retrospective, this podcast captures the ongoing conversation and community around the music. It’s a space for both lifelong fans and curious newcomers to find common ground in a shared love for the artists and anthems that built a genre. Tune in for the insightful, often humorous, and always genuine chat that makes this podcast a destination for anyone who believes great music never gets old.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Only Three Lads - Classic Alternative Music Podcast
Podcast Episodes
E321 - Great Lakes’ Ben Crum - Top 5 Album 1-2 Punches [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:38:58
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 e…
E319 - Chuck Granata - Top 5 Alternative Crooners [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:47:28
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, imagina…
E318 - The Silver Snails' Lucas Ward - Top 5 Elliott Smith Songs [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:45:34
This week, we celebrate the life and music of Elliott Smith, tracing his journey from noisy indie rocker to lo-fi DIY troubadour to the reluctant voice of a generation. Elliott released three records with his band Heatmi…
O3L Presents: Weekend Six Pack, Vol. 27 - Meet Banda AL9! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:48
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! Bret…
E316 - Rousers' Jerid O'Connell - Top 5 '70s NYC Punk Obscurities [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:51:12
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…