Re-Broadcast: The Christmas Show: 2008

In a effort to wind down and say goodbye to Krafty's tenure on the Irrelevant Rock & Roll & Music Show, while still maintaining the festive spirit of the season, we resurrect our Yule time show from two years ago.


The show features music from the Ontario Music Awards, The Hee Haw Gospel Quartet, and the ten albums we think you should have under your tree this December.


Happy holidays indeed, courtesy of your friends at the Irrelevant Rock & Roll & Music Show.

>>> LISTEN TO THE SHOW HERE <<<

The Once & Future Icons Show

In preparation for Krafty's final regular show at the end of the month, and the debut of new co-host John Howarth, J and Krafty take a trip to the vaults to re-broadcast one of their favorite shows from last year: "Once and Future Icons."

On this show, Krafty reveals his strange obsession for Lady Gaga while navigating the music of Jimmy Page, Bob Seger, the awesome sound of the Black Crowes, the progressive blues of Joe Bonnamassa, and who knew The Damned could sound as relevant today as they did in the early eighties.

So pull up a chair and settle yourself in for a wild ride. 

This is full throttle rock'n' roll to the max with a dash of nostalgia on the side. 

>>>> LISTEN TO THE SHOW HERE <<<<<

The Branches of Genesis - Anthony Phillips & Steve Hackett, Part 2

J. Hoskins & guest host, Christopher Rutty (aka "Dr Prog"), continue their unique in-depth examination of the solo careers of ex-Genesis guitarists, Anthony Phillips and Steve Hackett. 


The show picks up their parallel musical paths in the mid-1990s and traces their extensive studio album output to the present, closing the loop when Ant played on Steve's "Out of the Tunnel's Mouth" masterpiece. 

The distinctive paths of Phillips' and Hackett's post-Genesis musical journey clearly reflects, continues and expands on the original Genesis spirit they both helped forge. Moreover, as this special extended episode illustrates, their solo albums underscore a vital, yet sensitive, progressive music fearlessness that both of these guitar geniuses have maintained to this day. 

>>>> LISTEN TO THE SHOW HERE <<<<

To keep up to date on all things Steve Hackett & Anthony Phillips, visit their websites.

Steve Hackett's site

Anthony Phillips' site

Steve Hackett live in Rome, May 2011

Anthony Phillips in Steve's studio, June 2009

>>> You can listen to PART 1 Here <<<

4th Season Kick-Off!

In October we kick off our 4th season! Here's what we've got planned:

Oct 3rd: The Branches of Genesis: Part 2 (with co-host, Dr. Prog)

Featuring the words & music of former Genesis guitarists, Steve Hackett & Anthony Phillips.

Oct 9th: The Return Of The Roots Of Rock Show (with the return of Krafty)

Featuring: Black Country Communion, The Black Crowes, the Faces inspired tunes of Saint Jude, and a special tribute to the late great Gary Moore.

Oct 16th: The Progressive Choice Cuts Show

J & Chris (Dr. Prog) look at the discs that get their progressive juices humming and that have remained a fixture on their turntables for many, many years. Featuring: Riverside, FM, Tangerine Dream, Pink Floyd, Genesis, Yes and latter day King Crimson.

Oct 28th: The First Official Halloween Show (with singer/ songwriter Nikki Benton)

Featuring: the Top 5 of music that really scares you, plus a spooky retrospective of King Diamond, classics from Alice Cooper, a blast from the past from Cradle of Filth, horror movie theme music and lots more stuff to keep you awake at night.

Click to see our press release for more details

Rebroadcast: "Another Really Big Prog Show"

This week we are rebroadcasting "Another Big Prog Show" with a little new, a little old, and a bit retro.  It was originally broadcast in March 2010.

Stay tuned for the Branches of Genesis Part 2 coming in the next week or two!

Until then this show features Big Big Train, Frost, Abigail's Ghost and The Lee Saunders Project. 

The two co-hosts, J. Hoskins & Krafty, also lock horns over the definition of what is progressive and what is prog. 

For the icing on the musical cake, they advise you how to spend your hard earned money on early Jethro Tull.

>>> Listen to the show here <<<

Big Big Train: The Underfall Yard (2009)

Frost: Experiments in Mass Appeal (2008)

Abigail's Ghost: D_LETION (2009)

The Lee Saunders Project: A Promise of Peace (1995)

Prog Summer Update

Its been a busy summer for everyone at IRRMS and the frequency of shows for the All Prog Summer has not been as often as planned, but will extend through September.


However, Part 2 of "The Branches of Genesis Show: Anthony Phillips & Steve Hackett" will be completed in another week or so and its sounding very good.


In the meantime, you can browse through the many past episodes of the IRRMS that are listed along the left side of the blog, several of which are prog-focused.


Also, following in the more symphonic prog vein of Anthony Phillips, as well as Steve Hackett, I invite you to check out "Willowglass." 

1st Willowglass album (2005)

Here is an excellent description of what you'll hear as outlined on Progarchives.com:

WILLOWGLASS is solo artist/multi-instrumentalist Andrew Marshall who lives in Yorkshire, England. Although involved in music from a young age and has played in various local groups over the last 20 years, the self-titled debut is his very first solo outing. Andrew's work blends 1970's style progressive rock with elements of classical music, adding a colourful palette of emotions & mood to his compositions, which have a uniquely English pastoral feel. It is clear that his inspiration has come from numerous symphonic prog rock bands since the 60s/70s and there are notable references to early GENESIS, YES, CAMEL and even a touch of PINK FLOYD thrown in for good measure. 

The self-titled debut (2005) contains ten instrumental tracks recorded between September 2004 and April 2005, with lashings of mellotron, flute, 12-string acoustic & electric guitars. If you listen carefully you may find references to other works such as : CAMEL- "Rain Dances", GENESIS- "Selling England By The Pound", BARCLAY JAMES HARVEST - "Everyone Is Everybody Else" and YES - "Fragile". However, this is NOT just a hackneyed clone of past Classics, it is a sophisticated, graceful & intelligent interpretation of these, taking the lucky listener on a journey into lush green pastures where we can forget the busy world and almost believe we are back in 1970's again ...

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED to those who like any of the 1970's classic prog bands mentioned above and especially for those who like the style & mood of Anthony PHILLIPS' "The Geese & the Ghost".

2nd Willowglass album

Book of Hours (2008)

Visit the Willowglass website for more background, sound samples, reviews, and how to get the albums. They are both downloadable via iTunes.

All Prog Summer Music Series

Special Announcement for all Lovers of Innovative Music

In early July, The Irrelevant Rock & Roll & Music show will commence It's first "All Prog Summer Music Series" with three new shows each month dedicated to that unique corner of music known as Progressive Rock.

Join J Hoskins and guest host Christopher Rutty (aka) "Dr Prog," as they take you on a musical journey that is guaranteed to open your mind as well as your ears. The special shows being planned include: "The Branches of Genesis, (Parts 1 and 2)" "The Headphone Show", "The New Face Of Prog," and lots more neat stuff.