Advertise on podcast: Wachtelligence

Season 3, Episode 10. AJ chats with Jerry Portnoy. Legend, one of the highest ranks you can achieve. But when you are the premiere harmonica blues player in the world and can speak of being in both Muddy Waters and Eric Clapton's touring band, my friend, you have reached the legendary status.  Born in Chicago, he now makes Cape Cod his home. Essentially he has been on the road performing live since 1970. He recently penned his memoirs in an amazing book: "Dancing with Muddy: Muddy Waters, Eric Clapton and My Lucky Life In and Out of the Blues. It is indeed an honor to have a "Legend"  on the Podcast. 

Season 3, Episode 9. AJ chats with Billy Bud. As the Production Manager of the historic Paradise Rock Club in Boston, Billy has had a front row seat for some of the greatest shows ever. For over 30 years, Billy has been setting the stage for some of the most legendary national acts as well as local musicians who are living their dreams by playing on that stage. You would think this would be plenty to talk about, but before his club days, he was the tour manager for one of Boston's most important bands: The Atlantics. Lots to cover, I'll stop typing, so you can stop reading and simply enjoy the show.

Season 3, Episode 8. AJ chats with David Bieber. There is a great line in a classic George Carlin skit, where he says "… all you need in life, is a little place for your stuff…." But what if your "little place" needs to be a warehouse? After a 50 year career within the radio business, including time at both WBCN and WFNX. David Bieber collected a lot of stuff. Out of necessity came The David Bieber Archves. An indescribable location. Think of your favorite used book / magazine / record shop, combined with a pop culture museum, art gallery, advertising / political archives, walls of master reel to reel FM live recordings, vintage music instruments and recording relics. There are boxes lined up floor to ceiling,  labeled with a bands' name with their history inside. You know …. heaven. You can also see a lot of the archives on display at various locations around the city. From his days at BU in the early 70's to today, like the archives there is a lot of stuff to talk about. You will enjoy this one. 

Season 3, Episode 7, If the voice sounds familiar it is because you have been hearing it on the radio since the early 1970s. AJ chats with Harvey Wharfield about a career that kept him in the Boston Market for over 50 years, up and down the dial on different rock 'n roll stations. No matter where he was, he was always a strong supporter of local music and was one of the first DJs to have a radio show that only focused on local talent. This was an amazing opportunity to connect with True Royalty ~ The Commander of the Rock N Roll Air-Force, someone who truly loved and helped shape the local Boston music scene. 

Season 3, Episode 6, This Episode is all about Girl Power. As we are honored to have one of the strongest woman voices to emerge from the Boston Music Scene. AJ chats with Liz Borden who led the charge with an all female band in a predominantly male music scene. She was forced to hide her true self from the public eye, told how to dress, act, etc.., things you do not think of when you just want to rock, Originally from New York, her Boston-based band Lizzie Borden and the Axes were a fixture for many years in the club circuit. She is now based in California, has expanded her creative flow to become an author, actress and still continues to make music. Happy to welcome and reconnect with a true independent artist to the podcast. 

Season 3, Episode 5, AJ chats with "Cowboy" Mach Bell. A fixture on the Boston Music Scene since the mid-70s. Initially a Glam Rocker, this lead singer/songwriter has an amazing ability to adapt to the times and the current music trends. His bands are legendary: Thundertrain, the Joe Perry Project and currently the Mach Bell Experience. As if that is not enough he teached music for local home-schooled students, is the author of 3 books of his career and was recently inducted into the New England Music Hall of Fame. This episode is simply when 2 old friends get together and chat, lets listen in …   This episode is dedicated to the memory of Daniel Hargrove, a bass player who played with Mach in many bands and passed away the week after we recorded this. 

Season 3, Episode 4, AJ chats with Cha-Chi Loprete, a native of Cambridge Massachusetts. After seeing The Beatles on the Ed Sullivan show as a youth, he immediately knew his career path would be in music. He started volunteering in the early 80's at WBCN on the listener line and by the end of the decade he was the station's Marketing Director. His show "Breakfast with the Beatles" has been on the air for over 40 years and has allowed him to interview the surviving members as well as many within their immediate circle. A friendship with Tony Bennett in the 90's helped solidify the crooner's amazing comeback. Cha-Chi has been on the front line of Boston radio, during it's heyday and  up to it's unfortunate decline. So may I introduce to you, the act you've known for all these years …. 

Season 3, Episode 3, AJ chats with Rick Berlin. A fixture on the Boston music scene since the mid-70s, this Iowa born piano playing songwriter established himself for his visionary writing of theatrical rock n roll songs. With their exposure on WBCN, Orchestra Luna captured a national audience, recorded for a major label and opened for established bands on every major stage in Boston. Thru his solo career and many bands, including Luna, Berlin Airlift, Rick Berlin the Movie and the Shelly Winters Project, Rick has been one of the true local artists who has constantly been reinvented himself and luckily is taking all of us along for the journey.

Season 3, Episode 2, AJ chats with Steve Berkowitz. A proud Brighton resident, if there is a job in the music business, this man has performed it: a teenage roadie for Muddy Waters and Chuck Berry, Tour/Co Manager for The Cars during their first 4 albums, Co-Owner of the legendary studio Synchro Sound, Concert Promoter, Agent, Musician, A&R Executive and Producer.  He has settled in nicely working with Sony Music's Legacy department working on historical reissues for Miles Davis, Bob Dylan, Robert Johnson, Johnny Cash, Leonard Cohen and Paul Simon, just to name a few. This 7 time Grammy Award winner  has made an amazing name for himself while still being proud of his Boston roots. Sit back and enjoy this conversation where a very private person allowed AJ to ask a few questions, and talk about this impactful career.

Season 3, Episode 1, AJ chats with Ray Tabano. Growing up Ray was best friends with Steven (Tallarico) Tyler. Naturally they started a band with Tyler on drums, and Ray on bass. Eventually he switched to guitar and was a founding member of The Bad Boys of Boston: Aerosmith. When Brad Whitford took over on guitar, he became their Marketing Manager, from designing their logo, to running their fan club, writing their newsletter and overseeing all merchandise sales, he helped get the word out about this legendary band. But why am I telling you this, check out the episode and let Ray tell you how it went down. Enjoy.

Season 2, Episode 17, AJ chats with Dan Vitale. 2023 marks the 40th Anniversary of the legendary ska band Bim Skala Bim, who have been mashing up dance halls around the world since 1983. Massive respect! Dan as the lead singer, fronts one of the most successful bands to ever come out of Boston. As if that is not enough, he also sings with Steady Earnest, and is a highly respected film producer. When he is not on the road, he currently runs a Bed and Breakfast in Bocas Del Toro. So pack the chillum, light some candles, sit back and listen to the interview we have all been waiting for.

Season 2, Episode 16, AJ chats with guitarist Cliff Goodwin. From Worcester, Massachusetts, Cliff was one of the first members of the Jon Butcher Axis, before making his name as being Joe Cocker's Musical Director and Band Leader for over 12 years. An absolute musical experience, taking him around the world and on to some of the biggest stages with an iconic Musical Legend. As a session musician some of his studio work includes Robert Palmer's biggest hit, "Bad Case of Loving You". A true music legend right here from Wormtown. Enjoy the chat.

Season 2, Episode 15, AJ chats with Steve Cataldo, David McLean & Adam Sherman, AKA: The Nervous Eaters. Formed in 1973, they are one of the premiere Boston punk bands and a huge influence on the local music scene. "Loretta" is the epitome of the perfect song. Steve may be the only original member, but they are now a Boston Supergroup with David McLean (Willie Alexander's Boom Boom Band) on drums, Brad Hallen (Duke Robillard) on bass and Adam Sherman (Private Lightning) on guitar. They just released a new CD "Monsters and Angels" and it seems they are prepared for another 50 years of rocking the house. Long Live The Nervous Eaters!

S2, Episode 14: David Hull Is Never Dull Season 2, Episode 14, AJ chats with David Hull. Living in Connecticut in 1970, as a teenager in high school, David is chosen by Buddy Miles to be the bass player in the Buddy Miles Band and had a front row seat to the legend that was Jimi Hendrix. Opening shows for Jimi and even being in the house band at his memorial service, this is the stuff legends are made of. But the story does not stop there, he has also played with Aerosmith, Ted Nugent, Joe Cocker, Dirty Angels, Joe Perry Project and Farrenheit. As well as his current solo career he is also the bass player for the James Montgomery Band. Lots to cover, so hit play and enjoy the chat.

Season 2, Episode 13, AJ chats with Mike Girard, lead singer of The Fools. Formed in Ipswich, MA in the mid 70's, this is the story of a Rock n' Roll band in America, including local radio play, signed to a major label, MTV videos, and National tours. All done with a sense of humor that could only come from a Boston native. If there is a stage anywhere in New England, you know The Fools have been on it. A published author of two books, currently as well as The Fools, Mike also fronts Mike Girard's Big Swinging Thing. This is a conversation not to be missed.