Tucker’s Tertiary Tidbits - 2025
2025 was a troublesome child, for many of us, the fear and dismay that started in November 2024 continues to come to fruition - in spades.
But there is always joy to be found in new experiences that feed the soul and engage the spirit. Impossible as it may seem, one can fight the oppression at our doorsteps, revel in new art and thought, and look forward to better days.
While I am not an international influencer, and my reach has significantly reduced since my heady days as a podcaster, I still like sharing the new things I have found. Some may find inspiration and share their moments of hard-fought Joy.
This list is not to be viewed as a ‘Best of, it is simply the books, bands, food, and podcasts that enthralled and distracted me this year.
Books Where would I be without my books? Despite the modern age urging us to eschew these magnificent tombs, I continue to collect and keep them. From Hunter S. Thompson's letters to the finer points of digital circuitry, my bookshelf is to the point of bursting.
My work schedule at a growing live events company took much of my time and energy. Regardless, I was able to crowbar in a few books this year, and boy howdy did they engage me.
BBC Radiophonic Workshop's BBC Radiophonic Workshop - A Retrospective William L. Weir
Published on the 33 1/3 imprint, this tiny book ( in physical size and pages) packs a wallop of information and in-depth stories about the formation and evolution of the infamous Radiophonic Workshop. Most folks will recognize the Dr Who theme they produced, with innovations, sheer creativity, and technical know-how that is almost unbelievable.
The book does an excellent job of detailing the birth of electronic music. The workshop's creations/songs/sounds had a disproportionate influence on English synth sounds of the late 70s and early 80s.
In addition, the author takes great pains to celebrate (all-too-often unlauded) contributions of women like Delia Derbyshire and Daphne Oram. I am still overjoyed by the great storytelling in tight, well-written prose.
Rock Concert - Mark Myers
This book traces the creation and evolution of the most sacred of gatherings, the rock concert (in this, I include the broad definitions of Rap, Rock, Pop, etc.). Rather than relying on long prose, Mr. Myers lets those who were involved speak for themselves. Using excerpts from interviews, Rock Concert creates a soundscape of a frenetic timeline.
This oral history, while not quite as veracious as Legs McNeil’s history of Punk (Please Kill Me), captures the excitement, frustrations, technical achievements, and business (often nasty) that bring the power of live music to its devotees.
As the 21st-century musician relies more than ever on live performances for income (losing market share in physical media sales), it is more important than ever to understand the origins of a system we still use today.
Music is an essential component of the human experience; it has the power to seduce, sway our emotions, excite the senses, and influence our perceptions in real time. This is What it Sounds Like is an enjoyable read that takes a deep dive into the neurological reasons why we connect to the songs and sounds so intimately.
Susan Rogers initially rose to fame in the audio world as Prince’s handpicked recording engineer, a career spanning from Purple Rain through Sign of the Times, as well as producing a host of chart-topping bands. Ms Rogers went on to earn a doctorate in music cognition and psychoacoustics.
The book lays out different modes of music appreciation, then digs into what those preferences reveal about how your brain perceives music. Rogers and Ogas run through song examples (with a Spotify playlist available!). I have read and reread this book over the last 12 months.
White Label Preservation Society: 100 Flop Albums You Ought to Know
Sal Maida, Mitchell Cohen
We all too often measure an artist's success by the number of chart-topping songs they produce, classifying some as kings of pop and others as one-hit wonders. The truth is that there are thousands of bands creating songs that only reach a limited audience, yet can ignite a generation and change the face of an industry.
Twenty years ago, I bought the book Unknown Legends of Rock' n’ Roll off the sullied sidewalks of the East Village in NYC. The pages (along with the flexi-disc inside) fired my imagination and thirst to find historical threads of the music I loved. I experienced the same awe of discovery when one of the authors sent White Label through a friend of my wife.
White Label provides wonder on each page, opening a new world of artists and sounds that stimulate my little grey cells and stir my ears. While the albums listed failed to meet their commercial expectations, the lasting impact on modern music cannot be discounted.
Bands
How listless life would be without music, humans are hard-wired to create and be moved by the strumming of strings, the beating of ‘skins’, and the bleating of horns. Studies have shown there are unique regions of the brain that respond specifically to music.
Regrettably, studies also show that many individuals stop exploring new sounds in their 20s, often falling into a rut of listening to a dozen songs and fewer bands. Now in my late fifties, the passion to hear new songs and explore new ideas is stronger than ever- especially when it comes to music.
The Empty Page
From the first moment I heard ‘Cock of the Fifth Year’ from this alt-punk collective via Threads, my ears and heart were hooked. The Trio hails from Manchester and delivers shimmering songs that float between discordant and painfully beautiful pop sensibilities.
The songs explore themes of anguish (personal and political) with deft lyrics, resonating guitars, deceptively simple beats, and beautiful vocals that threaten to soar while maintaining an undertone of ragged angst. Over the last year of listening, I find myself absent-mindedly whispering the lyrics, swaying my hips, and ruminating on the state of the world.
I am disappointed that I will not get to see this band live anytime soon, given the current political clown show that is the US Government. The snippets of live sets I have seen have whetted my appetite even more.
Crash Nebula
The world is a crazy place, and punk helps to shine a light on hypocrisy and rally the masses to defeat usurpers of humanity. Alas, the revolution need not be delivered with humorless droning or indecipherable shouting - no matter how devoted a Vogon you are.
The Crash Nebula bill themselves as ‘Pittsburgh’s most handsome pop punk band’ with the charm and chops to back up the statement. The songs are at once playful and poignant, motivating you to bop and pop around the room before you process the soulful consternation that runs through them.
I had the chance to hear the band live at the Yonkers Brewery during a show featuring a collection of Pittsburgh-based bands. While Crash did not headline, the band's performance stood out to me.
I also, by happenstance, had a few drinks with the bassist (great guy, loved the conversation). It may also be true (I deny everything, your honor!) that the bartender mistook me for a band member and comped me a few drinks on their tickets. (Yes, I did buy the band a round that night once I figured it out).
The Darts
Raw, Raunchy, Playful, Profoundly fun, The Darts (US) blend genres to create an evocative, rocking, rollicking time. I became aware of this dynamic collection of musicians whilst scrolling late at night on Instagram. I knew immediately that I had to hear more, to learn more about the infectious lyrics and mesmerizing music.
The band's live shows are legendary among fans, running full-throttle from start to finish. Don't let the bare-bones setup fool you; the gals delight in bare-knuckle performances that leave the listener enthralled, amused, bemused, and feeling like you were floating ever so briefly.
The sound weaves Garage Band rhythm, fuzz, rockabilly, country swing, the rawness of 70’s punk, and the soulful precision of 60s girl groups. The songs pop with punchy chords, snappy, powerful drumming, and a beloved organ bringing it all together.
Cannonball
Cannonball, the straight-edge band from Sheffield, UK, delivers a take-no-prisoners sonic assault that delights my ears and makes my heart beat faster. Make no mistake, hardcore is alive and thriving in the hands of this band.
I am not, nor have I ever been, a subscriber to the straight-edge movement (I drink, still crave smoking, although I do have sympathies to the ethos and political maturations). Regardless, none of this matters as the musicianship and lyrical phrasing are just too damn good to ignore.
If you are looking for solid, give-no-quarter rock’ n roll, Cannonball will hype you up, spin you round, and have you in a musical reverie through solid playing and forthright chants.
Food
For some, food is simply a means of nourishment, so long as the meal before you is not retching, it's fine. While I am no gourmet, my classically trained wife of 30 years has taught me well and afforded me the opportunity to eat at some remarkable restaurants, many of which she cooked at or ran as operations manager.
This year, we scheduled many dates in the City and randomly chose places to eat. The five listed below are my favorites, not just for the food (which is top-notch), but also for the experience. I ask you bear with me in my descriptions, I am still learning how to express my inner thoughts and emotions about these meals.
Le Baratin - 26 Greenwhich Ave, NYC
Classic French cuisine, each meal delights the tongue and relentlessly teases the senses. Le Baratin (which translates into something akin to Flattery or Smooth Talker) is almost hidden away with a doorway so small that if you blink while walking by, you’d surely miss it.
Inside is what the real estate folks would call ‘Cozy’, meaning that the seating is tight and highly personal. What the restaurant lacks in spaciousness (still, this is part of its exclusive charm), it more than makes up for in the food. Here you will find classic dishes such as Escargots Perigord, Magret de Canard, or Croque Monsieur Bites. The kitchen also serves more international fare with a French Twist - Beouf Bourgnon Taco and Le Burger Baratin (with Camembert cheese).
The atmosphere is eclectic with a mix of frames, French magazine pages, plates, ‘provincial scenes, and soccer jerseys (lots of soccer jerseys). At times, it feels like the place is full of friends gabbing in French, much to the staff's distraction. If you are patient, good things will fill your stomach.
Giano Restaurant - 126 E 7th St, NYC
It is far from a secret that I love Italian food, from the homespun plates at Carlo’s in Yonkers, family style at The Bronx’s own Dominick’s, or dressy Osteria La Baia. Whether it is seafood, steak, chicken, or pasta, the Italians do it right.
This year, Amy and I happened upon a quaint little storefront in the East Village, right on the threshold of Alphabet City. The Lower East Side has always had its share of ‘finer’ dining, sharing streets and even buildings with dive bars and suspect shopping. Today, the streets are a bit less cantankerous (though the old spirit lives on, clearly), and a new breed is stepping up and offering fantastic plates.
Giano’s is one of those pasta joints that get it so right that I am afraid to mention it, wanting to keep the place all to myself. I love this place, from the host/owner chatting away in Italian to regulars, to the music and decor. This tight but sophisticated space (with a tiny but exciting bar) is warm and welcoming, with intoxicating smells wafting out the door, leading one on like a siren's song. I particularly like the Rigatoni Cime di Rapa e Salsiccia.
Izakaya Juraku - 121 Ludlow Street
Imagine your favorite dive bar, cleaned but not overly polished, serving ambrosia in the form of microbrew beers, delightful cocktails, and “Tokoyo-inspired comfort food. The restaurant feels like the ultimate locals' haunt, eager to embrace newcomers.
The space feels new yet evokes my memory of eateries that inhabited the block in the late 80s to the mid 90s (the days of my youthful cavorting in the neighborhood). Izakaya is at once comfortable and fresh.
The food never fails to delight - from the Katsu Curry, Brown Butter Miso Ramen, and plethora of skewers, this self-proclaimed gastropub is one that you will return to again and again.
ODO - 72 Main Street, Tuckahoe, NY
Odo is one of those special places that crafts high-level dining experiences without being ostentatious or pretentious. The restaurant offers seasonal dishes that keep you warm in winter and light yet satisfying in spring and summer. The concept follows Abruzzese cuisine and cocktails (as stated on their website), drawing on the food traditions centered along Italy’s Adriatic coastline.
The space is small but unencumbered - it is simple, while still providing a rustic atmosphere. The food (oh, the food) is deceptively simple but rich in flavor and intoxicating aromas that encircle your senses.
Podcasts
I love podcasts, from the uber amateur to the highly polished NPR-style series. I am smitten by the format. The truth is that I watch minimal TV (ever since cutting the cord 15 years ago), but the time previously spent on the couch has been replaced with just over 54 audio-only shows I listen to while doing other activities.
My interests vary; the current lineup includes series on science, psychology, history, technology, sociology, and my industry (Live Events). Regardless of my vacillating interests, one topic remains consistent in my playlists: music.
2025 saw me seeking refuge in music-centric shows, whether it is the history of music genres, artists' bios, song and sound production, or technical discussions - I immersed myself. Below are the five podcasts that kept me going.
The Ongoing History of New Music - Alan Cross
Alan Cross produces one of the best podcasts on music and the people, technology, and crazy machinations that drive it all. The show is the perfect blend of topics, knowledge, delivery, and production. Granted, Alan has years of experience to lean on - from a nationally (in Canada) known radio DJ, speaker, and writer extraordinaire.
The topics range from ‘Why Bowie Still Matters’, ‘60 More Band Name Origins in 60 Minutes’, Why Punk Happened, Censorship and Music, and ‘The 100 Greatest Rock Moments of the Millennium So Far’. And this just scratches the surface.
Ongoing may be the perfect music podcast, as Mr. Cross’s tenor, cadence, and flow of the show are simultaneously engaging and soothing. While I eagerly await each new release, there are thousands of back episodes to explore, and I may never come back up for air.
Geezers of Gear- Marcel Fairbairn
The people who built the industry are known colloquially as ‘Event Staging’. Or Live Events are a smaller community than one might think, yet the innovators often go unknown- even amongst ourselves. Marcel, in part, sought to bring the old geezers into the light and out from behind the stagecraft and curtains.
This podcast is, admittedly, for a very narrow audience; it's the equivalent of veterans retelling tales from the days of copper wires, simplistic mixers (not even desks), and slide projectors. If any of that made sense to you, take a listen.
I do have a rare criticism, Mr. Fairbairn apparently has developed a ‘fully AI-hosted show” to churn out industry news reviews. I am not a fan - if it is not human-centric, it is dead to me.
History of Rock in 500 Songs - Andrew Hickey
I had heard rumors of a podcast that sought to condense the history of Rock’ n Roll through 500 songs, each defined moment in the genre's arc. Regrettably, I did not start listening until July of '25
‘Simple enough,’ you might think- set a list and give an overview. Andrew started this podcast in 2023. As of December 21, 2025, he posted episode #182. The shows are a rabbit hole of deep dives into the song's cultural background, inspiration, effects on careers, and the long reach through the years.
If you LOVE the red string connections that music makes, relishing in every detail from a gifted storyteller- join the fantastical journey.
Strong Songs - Kirk Hamilton
Good songs grab us right away, every element tapping into our desires, emotions, and the very human need to connect. We seek them out for repeated plays and unconsciously store them as earworms that float around our little grey cells.
Great songs hold little mysteries, the nuanced ways a chord is played, how the intake of a breath changes the whole structure. The host, Kirk Hamilton, explores the dimensions with the excitement of a neophyte and the rigor of a skilled musician.
Kirk has veered off in recent episodes, focusing less on what individual songs and more on the people and processes. The episodes are still intriguing, just different.
