Keep Talking...Episode 6

April 27, 2020 by Simon Heldreich

Greetings Lockdown Listeners and welcome to episode 6 of Keep Talking…the weekly podcast from The Revelation Station.

In this episode we discuss the debut album by David Devant and His Spirit Wife (the band, not the Victorian stage magician) and, well to be honest dear listener it’s a bit of a gush fest. Work, Lovelife, Miscellaneous is the name of the album and it’s a bit of a favourite around these here parts. Released in 1997, you probably haven’t heard it before and that’s your loss. You can rectify that by listening along with us (and then going out immediately and buying the album).

Please donate to the charity of the week if you can, links are below.

Links for the episode:
Work, Lovelife, Miscellaneous CD
Adam’s Medical Fundraiser
For Adam’s Life on Facebook
Buy Me A Coffee
Join us on Facebook

Next episode we’ll be talking about the album “Rewiring Genesis - A Tribute to The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway”, the first half at least, so seek that out if you want to do some homework. If you’d like to send us your thoughts about that album, give us some feedback on this episode, tell us some recommendations for future episodes or simply let us know what you’re doing to keep yourself sane, email us at revelationstationpodcast@gmail.com.

Stay safe and Keep Talking!

Keep Talking...Episode 5

April 25, 2020 by Simon Heldreich

Greetings Lockdown Listeners and welcome to Episode 5 of Keep Talking! We are interrupting our scheduled episode to bring you this bonus from the archives of Octarine, the fanzine that Gary and Simon both wrote and edited.

Featuring a never before heard interview with Rob Grant and Doug Naylor, conducted by a very young (and hairy) Gary in Northampton on 18th July 1992, we spoke about the contents of this in last weeks episode and here it is for you in all it’s unedited glory*. Please Enjoy!

Some links for the episode:
Red Dwarf The Promised Land
Buy Me A Coffee
Join us on Facebook

Next episode we’ll be talking about the debut album by UK Indie band David Devant & His Spirit Wife. That’s called “Work, Lovelife, Miscellaneous” so seek that out if you want to do some homework. If you’d like to send us your thoughts about that album, give us some feedback on this episode, tell us some recommendations for future episodes or simply let us know what you’re doing to keep yourself sane, email us at revelationstationpodcast@gmail.com.

Stay safe and Keep Talking!

*Which means there might be some bad language.

Keep Talking...Episode 4

April 20, 2020 by Simon Heldreich

Smoke me a kipper, if it isn’t another episode of Keep Talking from those chaps at The Revelation Station. In this week’s episode we take a trip three million years into the future and join the boys from the Dwarf in their latest adventure. Of course I’m talking about the sci-fi sitcom Red Dwarf, and specifically the special “The Promised Land” recently broadcast on Dave.
Along the way we give you some background on the show in the first of our “pocket guides” and there may be one or two clips to keep you entertained. Find out how we first discovered the show, what our favourite episodes are AND Gary talks about meeting Grant Nayor (the shows creators) waaaaaaaay back in 1992.

But what if I don’t like Red Dwarf, you ask? Well, in that case I suggest that a) you’re wrong and should give it another chance OR b) just skip this episode, listening isn’t mandatory.

Some links for the episode:
Red Dwarf Seasons 1-8
Buy Me A Coffee
Join us on Facebook

Next week we’ll be talking about the debut album by UK Indie band David Devant & His Spirit Wife. That’s called “Work, Lovelife, Miscellaneous” so seek that out if you want to do some homework. If you’d like to send us your thoughts about that album, give us some feedback on this episode, tell us some recommendations for future episodes or simply let us know what you’re doing to keep yourself sane, email us at revelationstationpodcast@gmail.com.

Stay safe and Keep Talking!

Keep Talking...Episode 3

April 13, 2020 by Simon Heldreich

Greeting Lockdown Listeners from the year 2112!

As you may know, the priests have banned all forms of podcasting, so please keep this one quiet or they might shout at us in those screechy voices they have.
In this episode Acolyte Simon and Adherent Gary discuss an album they found discarded in one of the ancient buildings just outside the city. Coincidentally enough it tells a story of this very year and is entitled “2112”! What a coincidence! It’s by a band called “Rush” and was apparently released over 130 years ago in 1976! Listen (very quietly) to what Simon and Gary thought when you have completed your designated work period.

Links for this episode:
2112 40th Anniversary edition
Donate to Medecin Sans Frontieres
Buy Me A Coffee
Join us on Facebook

Next week we’ll be talking about Sci-Fi SitCom Red Dwarf. So if you’d like to send us your thoughts about that show, give us some feedback on this episode, recommendations or simply let us know what you’re doing to keep yourself sane, email us at revelationstationpodcast@gmail.com.

Stay safe and Keep Talking!

Keep Talking...Episode 2

April 05, 2020 by Simon Heldreich

Greetings lockdown listeners!

Welcome to the second episode of The Revelation Station Weekly, now re-christened “Keep Talking”! In this weeks chat we discuss Big Finish Productions, Star Trek, Apollo 13, Dua Lipa and more.

Music used in this episode:
Lie Detector by David Devant & His Spirit Wife
Levitating by Dua Lipa
I Wish by Ms.Amy Birks
And track from Ghosts V - Together by Nine Inch Nails (“Letting Go Whilst Holding On”, “Together”, “Apart” and “Your Touch”)

Links for the episode:
Nine Inch Nails
Big Finish
Feed NHS Workers
13 Minutes to the Moon podcast
Buy Me A Coffee
Join us on Facebook

Next week we’ll be reviewing the album 2112 by Rush. So if you’d like to send us your thoughts about that album, give us some feedback on this episode, recommendations or simply let us know what you’re doing to keep yourself sane, email us at revelationstationpodcast@gmail.com.

Keep Talking...

March 29, 2020 by Simon Heldreich

Greetings Stationeers and Los Friendos!

We are living in interesting times, and as such we aren’t able to produce the quality podcasts that you’ve come to expect *sad face*. But we aren’t letting that deter us! So instead of your regular scheduled programme we’re going to produce an alternative, weekly podcast.

We aren’t covering albums in the same way as we have done in the past. Instead we’re going to discuss our week, what we’ve been listening too and watching. We’re going to make some recommendations and generally try to give you something to listen to if you’re stuck at home.

In this first episode we’re basically finding our feet, so bear with us. Things can only get better.

Links for this episode:
Donate to The Big Issue UK
Steve Reidell’s Duke 40th Anniversary album
Dorian Gray
13 Minutes to the Moon podcast
Buy Me A Coffee
Join us on Facebook

If you’d like to get in touch to give us feedback, recommendations or just simply to let us know what you’re doing to keep yourself sane, email us at revelationstationpodcast@gmail.com

And Then There Were Three...Again.

March 04, 2020 by Simon Heldreich

***“We, are never ever ever, getting back together…”***

Surprise!

Genesis announced today (March 4th 2020 for those of you in the future) that they would be reforming for a tour in November and December.
Naturally, at least one of the boys was VERY excited. The other is mildly indifferent but, nevertheless, was pursuaded (with Beer) to record a short-ish episode discussing the news.
And here it is for you to enjoy.

So…if you’ve read this far you probably enjoy listening. If you do please consider supporting us by clicking on this link and contributing the price of a coffee to the running of the podcast. All donations will go towards the running cost of the website and recording equipment. Big thanks to the people who have already donated, we love you. Not in a weird way…

If you’d like to share your memories of Genesis or your opinions of the episode, you can email us at revelationstationpodcast@gmail.com, leave a comment below or join our Facebook group. We would love to hear from you.

Behind the Lines

February 02, 2020 by Simon Heldreich in Podcast episode

***Thank you for the music, the songs I’m singing.***

And so it ends…not with a bang. But a podcast…

Okay so I lied, we’ve got one more episode to spoil you with. 2 years ago we started this podcast with a listen to From Genesis To Revelations. 24 months and 31 episodes later we come to an end.

In this very special episode, find out what it’s meant to us to produce this show. We answer listener questions and discuss the future & past. Which songs are our least and most favourite? Why did Gary agree to get involved when he didn’t really know Genesis or listen to podcasts? Which band would Simon like to cover next? What’s Gary’s dog called? What’s Simon's favourite colour?

Find out the answers to these and many more questions today. And if you’re some sort of masochist, you could watch an unedited version of the conversation on the You Tubes right here.

To everyone who has listened to the show to this point, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We will be back soon with more fun and music.

It's the end, but the moment has been prepared for...

January 31, 2020 by Simon Heldreich in Special

***“The Watcher! He was the drummer all the time!”***

In the space year 2000, Genesis were a spent force. With the relative disappointment of the Calling All Stations tour 2 years behind them, there seemed to be only re-issues and greatest hits packages in the future. Enter Archive #2, a three disc collection of B’sides and live tracks culled from the period 1976-1992 (ignoring the Ray Wilson years completely), presented as a follow up to the Gabriel-era Archive of 2 years before.

There are some real gems included on this compilation, from unreleased Hackett-era live tracks to 1980’s B’sides, there is something for all fans and it brings together rare tracks in one place for the first time. I mean…really there’s not much else I can say about it. You should listen to the podcast.

BUT! Gary has been lost forever, seemingly into Hell, and Simon is trying to move on with his life. Enter a mysterious professor and his newest invention. Can Simon continue the podcast alone? Will he find a willing victim…er…co-host, to help him spread the word? Or will he bring about the end of all things in an insane attempt to rescue his friend…er…acquaintance.

Find out in this final episode of The Revelation Station season 1! Will there be anyone left for season 2?
Guest starring:
Sheldon Chemiri as Professor Yanov Karaktur
Ray Grast as Demon
Cherie Ghaldnem as Drive thru girl #1
Ronah el Delireche as Drive thru girl #2
Richmond Leishi as Satan

You choose not to see it...

December 20, 2019 by Simon Heldreich in Podcast episode

***A man on a flying saucer, possibly heading to the Congo.***

In 1996 after a whopping 25 years with the band, Phil Collins decided to call it quits and leave. And that was the end of Genesis…

Not really! Undeterred, Tony Banks and Mike Rutherford pressed on. They wrote an albums worth of material at The Farm in January 1996 and in the meantime began a lenghty audition process. Many popular names were thrown into the ring such as Fish, Francis Dunnery and Mick Strickland. Finally, in a tense, X-Factor-like finish, the field was narrowed to two. Dave Longdon and Ray Wilson. And if you don’t know already who won the gig well…this will be a lovely surprise for you.

Sadly, this incarnation of the band was not to last. A cancelled North American tour and poor record sales meant that Tony and Mike elected not to carry on, and in 1998, after just one album Genesis was no more. Until the 2007 reunion tour that is! But that’s a whole other story.

Back in the present day, Gary has roped Simon into a shopping trip. But something isn’t right, and their refusal to accept the events of the last episode may have dire consequences. It may be the end of Genesis but it might also be the end of the world! Find out the secret history of Dave the zombie, meet our local Conservative candidate, gasp at the poor accents on display, scream at the unworldy beings dragged from another world, and I’m not talking about Gary OR Simon!

Who lives? Who dies? Who tells your story? Find out in this super-sized episode, all about the 15th and final Genesis album.

Another chance hello, another goodbye.

November 22, 2019 by Simon Heldreich

Invisible Touch was 5 years before, so the casual observer would be forgiven for thinking that Genesis were no more. But in October/November 1991 they unleashed the 70-minute epic We Can’t Dance, their first album geared to the increasingly popular CD format. Featuring a chart busting 6 singles, the album went on to be their 5th UK number 1 and sold 4 million copies in the USA alone, it also led to a highly succesful world tour which took in the sunny climes of Texas, Paris, Berlin and Wolverhampton,

Phil was responsible for a lot of the lyrics on the album, which is why it is very much in the vein of his 1989 album “But Seriously…” covering such topics as domestic violence, televangelism, the plight of the Kurdish people and drink driving, it sets a much more serious tone for the most part (Jesus He Knows Me not included obvs). It was written at the Farm studio and came from jam sessions, as the last 2 albums had been. Sadly (or not depending on if you think Phil ruined Genesis), it was the end for Phil, who departed in 1996 to focus on his solo career.

But forget all that nonsense, what you really need to know is that something is amiss at The Revelation Station pub, something that Simon and Gary need to sort out before business goes down the pan. What’s the prob Bob? How will they solve it? Just how many tracks will Simon and Gary agree on this time? Is Gary really a heartless, emotionless shell of a man?

Find out literally everything* there is worth knowing about Genesis’ 14th Studio album in this bumper sized episode. And if you’ve listened to the episode already why not click on this link for Simon’s Spotify playlist of his version of the album.

*not literally everything

Pumpkin Spiced Station

October 31, 2019 by Simon Heldreich

***Good grief Charlie Brown! It’s a clipshow!***

Greetings Stationeers and happy halloween!

We’re currently hard at work on the next few episodes, and frankly it’s taking a bit longer than anticipated. So I’ve put together a collection of unused discussions and bloopers to keep you going until Episode 14!

The sound quality is variable because the clips are from different sessions, but there should be something here to keep you entertained.

Until next month…please enjoy!

A hundred crazy voices call my name

September 20, 2019 by Simon Heldreich in Podcast episode

A very visible touch, pictured here in it’s natural environment — A *very* visible touch, pictured here in it’s natural environment

In an alternative reality, Genesis split up in 1985. Their biggest hit, Mama, defined the memory of them for 22 years until they reformed in 2007 with Peter Gabriel and Steve Hackett to tour “The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway” in a cross-promotion with the big budget Hollywood movie.
If only…
Luckily for us, Genesis didn’t split in 1985, despite the BBC announcing it. No, instead they reformed back at The Farm and recorded what is both their most successful album and their least popular, depending on who you ask. Released in June 1986, it saw the group finally achieving the pop success that they had been craving since their formation all those years ago (18) at Charterhouse. Bolstered by 5 top 5 US singles, it remained in the charts for a staggering 85 weeks and has achieved sales of 6 million so far to date. That, as they say, is a spicy meatball.
The album features some very diverse topics, from protest songs to break up songs to songs about drugs and double-glazing (I guess, I didn’t really pay much attention). It divided fans and critics, with some deriding the electronic instrumentation and pop sensibilities, and others thinking that maybe some people should just chill out and enjoy it for what it is, I mean it’s only music there’s no need to get so uptight. Amiright?

In this episode Simon hopes to get home, but Gary has other plans. He’s got one last errand to run before they can finally head back to the pub. Does Gary like the slow songs? Which song does Simon admit to not liking? Will they ever get back home? Can you spot the error Simon makes in the album overview segment (he corrects himself later, it’s ok)?

Find out everything you’ve ever needed to know about Invisible Touch and be amazed by the surprise special guests, in this episode! Oh, and before I forget - go here for some decent Genesis artwork.

Not this confused again...

August 23, 2019 by Simon Heldreich in Podcast episode

Is it called “Shapes”? Is it called “Mama”? No, it’s called “Genesis” and it was released on October 3rd 1983, a mere 10 years after “Selling England By The Pound” if you can believe it!
The album marked a distinct change in sound for the band, which many fans loved (and equally as many hated) but despite that it proved to be a huge success, selling over 4 million copies to hit no.1 in the UK and no.9 in the USA. But it was the single “Mama” that proved to really break the album, with the single reaching no.4 in the UK to be their most successful single to date.
Written and recorded at The Farm, it was the first to be entirely created from jam sessions, hence the collective title for the album “Genesis”. It was an attempt to get back to the pop sound that had been the original intention of those Carthusians all those years before…actually only 15 years before. Crikey! They certainly worked hard didn’t they? 12 albums in 15 years? WHAT HAPPENED PETER?

But in the 21st Century, fresh off the massive success of their live set at Wembley, Gary and Simon are attempting to raise the profile of the pub. Gary has some sort of scheme going on which involves a well-known BBC TV show. What do the boys think of the album? How many different vegetables can Gary name? Does anyone want to buy a Llama? And, perhaps most importantly, is “Illegal Alien” racist?

Find out the answers to all of these questions and so, so much more in this all new episode.

The sounds that echoed all around me

July 05, 2019 by Simon Heldreich in Bonus

Grrrreeetings listeners! Please enjoy this special bonus episode…

What we have here is a special episode of the Revelation Station Podcast - for the first (and possibly only) time we’ve recorded a commentary track, and we’ve done it for the concert film of Three Sides Live.
This film was originally released in 1982 in support of the album of the same name and features many of the same tracks.

Disclaimer: This is not a normal episode. You need to listen to it whilst watching the Three Sides Live film or it won’t make any sense.

Let us know if you enjoyed this episode at revelationstationpodcast@gmail.com, leave a comment on the website or join us on Facebook .

Your side. My side. The truth.

June 28, 2019 by Simon Heldreich in Special

1982 was a quiet year for the boys in the band. Not. Although there was no studio album released, they put out the 3x3 EP and embarked on an extensive tour culminating in a reunion in Milton Keynes with Peter Gabriel (and Steve Hackett). Phil released an album which built on the success of Face Value. Mike released an album which is largely best forgotten. Tony recorded an album which wasn’t released until 1983.

And, of course, they released their third live album “Three Sides Live”, featuring live recordings from the Duke and Abacab tours for the most part. The international release was an unusual hybrid of live tracks and studio tracks, including the unreleased in the US, 3x3 EP. The UK version was an unusual hybrid of live tracks and...some more live tracks?

Back in London, Gary and Simon have made it to Wembley for their live gig. Will they get in? What happens when Gary decides to crowdsurf? Who has the weirdest rider request and will the boys learn a new fact about fireworks? Find out the answers to all these questions and more in this exciting episode.

My hopes are as the leaves upon the water...

May 03, 2019 by Simon Heldreich in Minisode

***Yes it is, that’s the magic number…***

In May 1982 Genesis released their second EP, 3x3, onto an unsuspecting world. Made up of leftovers from the Abacab sessions it proved to be a modest hit in the UK charts, just like their first EP.
Lead track “Paperlate“ managed to be an homage to both 70’s and 80’s Genesis whilst the other two tracks were also on the EP.

But meanwhile, with the future of the Pub assured, Gary and Simon continue their London adventure with a nice relaxing trip on a bus to their next appointment. It seems Simon has meticulously planned the journey BUT what will happen when things go awry? Get ready for rush hour…

Featuring guest stars:
Bus Driver: Ray Grast
Bouncer: Richmond Leishi
And a recurring cast of thousands.

So…if you’ve read this far you probably like the podcast. If you do please consider supporting us by clicking on this link and contributing the price of a coffee to the running of the podcast. You may notice the sound quality of the episode is greatly improved, we’d like to keep doing that with your help. All donations will go towards the running cost of the website and recording equipment. Big thanks to the people who have already donated, we love you. Not in a weird way…

The buck stops here, and it's not the one you're looking for...

April 12, 2019 by Simon Heldreich

“It’s just strips of paper…” - R.Leishi 2019

Down on The Farm, something is afoot! It’s Genesis and they’re working on their 11th studio album “Abacab”, named after a random sequence of musical bits and pieces. Recorded in May and June, before being released on 18th September 1981, Abacab marks a huge change of sound for the band. No longer truly “prog”, and featuring predominantly tracks jammed in the studio, the album utterly divided fans and even led to the band being boo-ed on tour.
Undoubtedly influenced by the runaway success of Phils’ “Face Value”, it also in a way saw the band returning to their roots, with shorter, poppier tracks and outside musicians used for the first time since their debut. It sets out the blueprint that Genesis will pursue for the rest of their Phill Collins era, and ultimately lead to their most successful phase.

Back in the future, Gary and Simon have arrived in London and have a very important date to keep. It’s a race across the city with the fate of the podcast at stake! Will they make it? Which track is Gary’s favourite? Will Simon surprise Gary with a shocking revelation? Do they (ahem) like it or not? Will the pub be saved? All these questions will be answered.

Featuring guest stars:
Taxi Driver: Richmond Leishi
Big Jim: Ray Grast
Boris Johnson and Jacob Rees-Mogg as themselves
Some Nuns

So…if you’ve read this far you probably like the podcast. If you do please consider supporting us by clicking on this link and contributing the price of a coffee to the running of the podcast. You may notice the sound quality of the episode is greatly improved, we’d like to keep doing that with your help. All donations will go towards the running cost of the website and recording equipment. Big thanks to the people who have already donated, we love you. Not in a weird way…

If you’d like to share your memories of Genesis or your opinions of the episode, you can email us at revelationstationpodcast@gmail.com, leave a comment below or join our Facebook group. We would love to hear from you.

This is the time you've waited for...

March 01, 2019 by Simon Heldreich in Podcast episode

***One of the people in my life, pictured last week.***

1979 was not a great year for Phil Collins. However, the breakdown of his marriage lead to a huge burst of creativity and ultimately brought us his classic first solo album “Face Value”. Similarly, Tony Banks and Mike Rutherford recorded and released their first solo efforts.
This podcast is not, however, about those albums. Instead we have a listen to the tenth studio album, and the second recorded by the most famous and successful line up. Duke was released on 24th March 1980 and was their very first number 1 album in the UK!
The album saw a return to longer songs following …And Then There Were Three…’s dalliance with shorter tracks. It also contains what could be considered the first proper Genesis “Pop” song, which went on to become the 7th biggest single of 1980 in Canada!

In this bumper 20th edition of The Revelation Station, the boys get embroiled in a mystery on their way to an important date and decide to while away the time by turning an ear to Gary’s first experience of Genesis’ music. Does it hold up after so long? Is it a royal success or a big pile of dookie? Can Simon accurately predict which songs Gary will hate? Just whodunnit? The answers to all these questions will be revealed…

Featuring guest stars:
Tea Lady: Kay MrsGary
Hercule Poirot: Richmond Leishi
And a cast of thousands!

Do you love us or hate us? Got something to share (about Genesis, not just random things)? You can let us know by emailing revelationstationpodcast@gmail.com or leave a comment below. If you really want to, you could join us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/groups/TheRevelationStation

Join us soon for another, possibly shorter, episode!

Stand up to the blow that fate has struck upon you...

February 08, 2019 by Simon Heldreich in Podcast episode

Released on 31st March 1978, Genesis’ ninth studio album featured a streamlined sound and line up. Steve Hackett had departed the group in mid 1977, dissatisfied with the band dynamic, leaving the core trio of Tony Banks, Phil Collins and Mike Rutherford that would exist for a good 15 years and go on to huge international success.

It all starts here folks. Hated by some, loved by others the album featured their biggest hit to date in Follow You, Follow Me, a sign of things to come. Also notable for the inclusion of shorter songs, in an attempt to cram in more ideas. This is only one of three albums they ever released that has no long songs.

Returning back from winter break with an appropriately themed album, Gary and Simon find themselves caught between a rock and a dart place as they try to bring more business to the pub. Despite this they find time to discuss the merits of …And Then There Were Three… and spend an inordinate amount of time singing in this episode.

What do they think of the album? Is it a bullseye or a double one? Which of the two single releases do they prefer? Which one of the pair clearly misses Steve but refuses to admit it? And what cover version should you definitely definitely avoid at all costs? The answers to all this and more can be found right here in a bumper length episode of The Revelation Station podcast.

Like us? Hate us? Got some interesting stories or facts you want to share? Concerned about constant incorrect release dates on Wikipedia (but not bothered enough to get them changed)? Let us know via email at revelationstationpodcast@gmail.com or leave a comment below. If you really like us you could visit us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/groups/TheRevelationStation.

Plus! Join us back here soon for the next episode DUKE!