Episode 118 is here, and we're doing something a little different! This time, we're spotlighting a killer new track: "Wormslayer" by Kula Shaker – the title track from their 8th studio album.

This seven-minute prog-rock journey is EPIC. It starts with a meditative mantra, builds through psychedelic keyboards, and then the guitars absolutely kick in. Kula Shaker has been fusing Anglo-British rock with Indian influences for 30 years now, and "Wormslayer" shows them at their best – tempo changes, Hindi vocals, and that perfect blend of styles that traces back to everyone from The Beatles to Cornershop.

Plus, we're premiering the video on Popdose! It's got major Stranger Things vibes with D&D gameplay, anime characters, and all the campy fun you could want.

Will this finally be Kula Shaker's moment to break through in the US? Listen and decide for yourself!

Sponsored by Steve Fox's Old School – stream classic soul, R&B, and disco at stevefoxoldschool.com

Wormslayer by Kula Shaker is available to purchase at the band's website: https://kulashaker.os.fan/

On January 8th, 2016, David Bowie celebrated his 69th birthday with the release of his 26th and final studio album, Blackstar. Two days later, Bowie was gone after succumbing to liver cancer.

Now, a decade after its haunting release, host Ted Asregadoo revisits Bowie’s final masterpiece. Was it a "pretentious" swan song or a stroke of avant-garde genius? From its "dark jazz" undertones to the incredible musicianship of the Donny McCaslin Quartet, we break down why this record remains a monumental final statement in a career defined by constant reinvention.

Joining the conversation is long-time friend of the pod and veteran radio broadcaster Michael McGauley (KCBS/KNX). Michael shares why Blackstar has climbed the ranks to become his favorite Bowie record and recounts his first experiences with the Thin White Duke’s legendary catalog.

• Track-by-Track Breakdown: We dive into the "guts" of the record, from the experimental merging of parts in the title track to the "Cure-esque" tones of Lazarus.
• The Power of the Band: A look at how drummer Mark Guiliana and the Donny McCaslin Quartet blew away even seasoned producers like Tony Visconti.
• The Death of Rock? We pivot to Billy Corgan’s recent "paranoid" claims about the decline of rock music. Is it a conspiracy, or has the genre run its course -- which is why Bowie kept pushing into new music territory.
• The Emotional Weight of Musical Icons: Ted reflects on a 2016 blog post written after the deaths of Bowie and Prince. He explores why we grieve for artists we never met—not just for the loss of the person, but for the loss of the "touchstones" to our own youth and the era of "immortality" we felt in our teens. Read the full post here.

Special Thanks to our Sponsor:

This episode is brought to you by Steve Fox’s Old School. It’s a "party in a box" featuring the best of Classic Soul, Disco, Hip-Hop, and 90s R&B. Listen now at SteveFoxOldSchool.com.

Host Ted Asregadoo is flying solo this week to dive into the music of a band that defined the 1990s alternative scene for him: Belly. Belly, fronted by the immensely talented singer-songwriter Tanya Donelly, ascended quickly through the '90s alt-rock ranks. Donelly's journey is a fascinating tapestry of essential bands, starting with Throwing Muses (1986-1991) and a short but significant tenure in The Breeders, before she formed Belly with brothers Tom and Chris Gorman, later joined by bassist Gail Greenwood. The band captured the attention of alternative radio with standout hits like "Feed the Tree," "Slow Dog," "Now They'll Sleep," and "Super-Connected."

They went from underground darlings to becoming the "it" alt band in 1995, landing the cover of Rolling Stone and performing on late-night shows. However, after a grueling tour supporting their second album, King (1995)—Ted’s personal favorite—Belly famously broke up. Donelly then embarked on a solo career, marked by the release of three albums and her collaborative Swan Song Series EPs. But the story didn't end there! In this episode,

Ted explores: The band's rise and sudden break-up in the mid-'90s. Tanya Donelly's evolution as an artist through her solo work. The profound personal connection the music had to Ted's own transformative decade of the 1990s. The unexpected reunion! The band got back together to record the 2018 album Dove and is now, as of this recording, wrapping up a 2025 tour celebrating the 30th Anniversary of King.

Join Ted for a nostalgic trip down memory lane to celebrate two really solid albums that meant—and still mean—the world to him.

Steve Fox’s Old School sponsors the Planet LP podcast! Steve Fox’s Old School. It’s the first place to go to stream R&B dance hits from the 1970s to the 1990s.