Carls Special Features 2022

Carl is the presenter of R U Ready 2 Party on Saturday evenings, and Just Can’t Get Enough 80’s & 90’s on a Sunday afternoon. He’s a huge fan of music from the 80’s, a fountain of musical knowledge, which serves him very well when conducting interviews. This page lists past interviews for anyone wanting to listen again. Please click here to find out more about Carl.

SELECT YEAR: 2024 2023 2022 2021
PROGRAMME DETAILS		CATCH-UP
JANUARY 2022
	29/01/2022 Interview with Jack Savoretti One of the most popular male singers who has recently released his seventh album to critical acclaim and scored his second number one success. With collaborations with Nile Rodgers and John Oates on Europiana Jack has produced some of his best music today, writing and recording these songs during lockdown. Join Carl for a R U Ready 2 Party special where he talks to Jack about the new songs, tour and Valentines Day. Carl caught up with Jack just before he played a small intimate gig at The Brook in Southampton.
FEBRUARY 2022
	12/02/2022 Interview with Frank Turner Frank Turner is an English punk and folk singer-songwriter who was brought up in Meonstoke, Hampshire. He came to prominence in the post-punk band Million Dean before embarking upon a primarily acoustic-based solo career following the band's split in 2005. Frank has a backing band for recording called the Sleeping Souls and is one of the hardest touring men in the music business. Supporting many good causes including raising over £250k to support small venues during lockdown Frank gave Outreach Radio a fascinating insight into both these causes and the ever-evolving music he writes and records. Listen to Carl’s interview with one of Hampshire’s finest as he embarks on a tour to support his most recent album FTHC. This album, his 9th reached number one in the album chart the week after release.
MARCH 2022
	20/03/2022 Interview with China Crisis A massively under-rated band from the early to mid-1980’s China Crisis are one of those bands who you can never remember which songs they did until you fire up your streaming service and start to play the best of and every track becomes instantly memorable. Carl was lucky enough to catch up with one half of China Crisis, Eddie Lundon to talk about the latest tour, the songs and Liverpool football club. An hour of chat including some of the biggest hits available to listen to on Outreach Radio.
	26/03/2022 Interview with Neville Staple from The Specials Growing up in the early 80’s in Coventry shaped Neville who has always been involved in bands that didn’t shy away from political comment. Firstly, one of the vocalists on the Specials before forming Fun Boy Three with Terry Hall and Lynval Golding, Neville was one of the key members behind two iconic bands from the 80’s. Now touring with his wife Sugary and the Neville Staple Band he draws on his extensive back catalogue, some new songs, and a selection of old ska classics. Carl caught up with Neville ahead of his 2022 tour and the resulting interview has been turned into another famous R U Ready 2 Party special. A great listen for any fan of Ska, the Specials or the Fun Boy Three.
APRIL 2022
	23/04/2022 Record Store Day 2022 interview with Mark Willis from Hundred Records, Romsey Mark kindly agreed to give us his (slightly eclectic) but fascinating selection of what to buy for Record Store Day 2022. As an avid vinyl collection who else would we sent to interview him buy our very own Carl. Selecting fifteen of the finest options for collectors Mark gave every collection something to consider for his shopping list. Topped off with a few selections from Carl this is perfect for the record collecting connoisseur.
	24/04/2022 Interview with John Steel from The Animals John Steel the drummer from the Animals was in fine form when he spoke to Carl and Cliff about the new tour and being a member of one of the more successful UK bands responsible for the British Invasion back in the 60’s. Responsible for the incredible House of the Rising Son, Please Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood and We Gotta Get Out Of This Place to name three. The Animals were different from the mainstream rock ‘n’ roll of the time playing music influenced by blues and soul. A short but highly successful career has meant the Animals are still popular to this day. Listen to the show in full broadcast as part of Classic Hits from Cliff on Outreach Radio.
	27/04/2022 Interview with Tom Robinson Where do you start with the man who has done everything, father, singer, songwriter, activist, and radio presenter. Carl and Cliff had the daunting task of turning the tables on the man himself to find out how he manages to do so much and do it so well. A very candid and frank interview with a man who has done so much for LGBT+ rights in the UK, Tom talks about the early years and what it meant to be gay in the 70’s right through to how he keeps up with current music and always tries to make his own songs relevant by updating them. A great listen not only for some of his fantastic music but for inspiration for people who may feel like they don’t always conform to societies expectations.
MAY 2022
	09/05/2022 Interview with Tony Hadley from Spandau Ballet Well, what is there to say about the lead singer of one of the best 80’s new romantic bands that has been said? A man whose voice is pure gold and the front man for a band who fifteen top twenty hits and two number one albums. Tony now performs those and more when he tours, throwing in some of his favourite covers and new songs he has written recently. The perfect gentleman and a captivating performer Carl caught up with him to discuss his new tour, album and his book of personal pictures shared for the very first time. A great interview with plenty of surprises including how a song from Chitty Bang Bang influenced a song he wrote for his new album.
	14/05/2022 Eurovision Special For one night only and for all you Eurovision fans. Carl mixes the hits from the Eurovision Song Contests throughout the years with a quiz for fans of the show. Two hours of fun, cheesy music and a chance to reminisce about a time when the UK didn’t get nil points.
JUNE 2022
	03/06/2022 Interview with Steve Harley A man who is so difficult to pin to a specific genre but has produced some of the finest songs from the 70’s and beyond. Steve talks about his love of Italy, how his song was used for Trebor soft mints and the breakup of Cockney Rebel alongside a selection of those great tunes. If you are a fan this one is unmissable.
JULY 2022
	03/07/2022 Carl interviews Neil Arthur, the man behind Blancmange One of the forerunners of the synth scene in the early 80’s Blancmange were never as big as some of their contemporaries but a retrospective look back on their catalogue highlights their great knack of writing those perfect pop songs. From the upbeat “Living on the Ceiling” to the orchestral expanse of “Waves”, Neil Arthur certainly knew how to write a great song. Join us for an hour long special with Carl taking you through all the hits in Neil’s own words.
AUGUST 2022
	06/08/2022 Carl interviews Justin Currie, lead singer of Del Amitri One of Scotland’s finest but at times underrated bands Del Amitri’s Justin Currie talks to Carl about their new tour and some of the hits over the years. Find out all about the video featuring the band as babies in pushchairs and hear all the hits over the years. First formed in 1980 Del Amitri are still going strong some 42 years on.
	27/08/2022 Carl interviews Howard Jones Southampton born Howard Jones was a pleasure to have on. Just ahead of an acoustic tour Carl spoke at length about his career in music and all his hits. Find out what Peter Gabriel thought of New Song, how the Spice Girls used one of Howards riffs on Wannabee and whether he was being ironic going to Paris (the romantic capital of the world) to ask, “What Is Love?” And of course, Carl asked him about Jed. If you want to know what he’s up to why not give this a listen.
	28/08/2022 Carl speaks with Dom Joly, travel writer and Trigger Happy TV The man who has done it all! Political commentator, comedian, TV star and acclaimed travel writer Dom was promoting his new tour Dom Joly’s Holiday Snaps. A fascinating insight into how he travels, a far cry from the average package holiday. With places like Lebanon, Chernobyl, Vietnam, and Iran on his “country visited” list he is the man to give us an insight into some of the more interesting, and sometimes dangerous places to visit in the world. A trip down memory lane for Carl covered off one of his favourite programs, Trigger Happy TV and Dom shared with us his fantastic knowledge of music. Not to forget his foray into politics standing as a candidate against Peter Mandelson for fun as The Teddy Bear Party!
SEPTEMBER 2022
	03/09/2022 Carl & Rich speak with footballer, Paul Walsh Through the 80’s and 90’s Paul Walsh played for some of the best football clubs in England - Portsmouth, Liverpool, Tottenham & Man City - but he will be most fondly remembered in Hampshire for two spells with Portsmouth. A Sky Sports pundit alongside Matt Le Tissier, if you are a football fan you will not want to miss this special. Listen to one of our most candid interviews where Paul talks not only about his career and his musical likes but openly and frankly about his drink problem and what he did to get his life back on the straight and narrow.
	04/09/2022 Interview with Clare Grogan, lead singer of Altered Images One of the highlights for Carl was to interview lead singer of one of his favourite 80’s bands. In fact his first every single was See Those Eyes by Altered Images. Clare Grogan spoke about her new album Mascara Streakz as well as some of her favourite moments in the 80’s. Also known for her acting roles in various TV shows and of course Gregory’s Girl Clare was as bubbly and happy in real life as she is on stage. A great show for both old and new fans alike.
	17/09/2022 Martyn Ware of Heaven 17 joins Carl Carl talks to synth legend, Martyn Ware, founding member of The Human League, Heaven 17 and BEF. To coincide with the release of his autobiography, Martyn takes us through the highs and lows of his career, and political causes he feels strongly about. A prolific writer of some of the most memorable songs of the 80’s he tells us how he resurrected Tina Turners career and of his friendship with the late great Billy MacKenzie. One of Carl’s most in depth and fascinating interviews to date.
	24/09/2022 Interview with Bill Sharpe & Jill Seward of Shakatak Carl gets "Down on the Street" with lead singer and multi-talented percussionist Jill Seward and keyboard legend Bill Sharpe. One of Britain’s most prolific bands, that have produced some of the greatest jazz/soul/funk/fusion of our time Carl takes them through all the hits and some unlikely collaborations. A fantastic fun interview with a band whose music just makes you want to tap your toe!
OCTOBER 2022
	01/10/2022 Cheryl Baker of The Fizz chats to Outreach Radio A band that had hit after hit in the 80’s and perhaps remembered most for the removal of skirts in the Eurovision Song Contest, Carl speaks to the very talented Cheryl Baker. Now a member of the Fizz with Mike and Jay, Cheryl tells us about the new album, her career in Bucks Fizz and also the campaigns and charities she supports. Star of TV, stage and music she is a dedicated mother and had run a marathon and competed in Dancing on Ice. A true talent of our time.
	08/10/2022 Ian Broudie the voice of the Lightning Seeds The man behind the Lightning Seeds talks about his first album in thirteen years, being back on the road and football. Possibly one of our greatest pop writers his melodic upbeat music was immensely popular with fans of Britpop despite treading his own path through the 90’s. Responsible for writing the best football pop anthem of all time (the only song to make the number one spot on three different occasions), fifteen top forty singles and seven studio albums this is an hour of the finest indie pop music you could want to hear. Another enjoyable interview with a living legend.
	23/10/2022 Dave Rowntree of Blur talks to Carl The drummer for iconic Britpop band Blur ventures out from behind the drums to talk about his new solo album and his musical scores for TV and film. Best known for being the backbone of one of the great bands of our time Dave also talks about technology, growing up in the 70’s and politics. Tune in to hear some of the old Blur numbers and some of the newer solo material he’s released.
	29/10/2022 Interview with Jake Wright from the Showhawk Duo From living on the streets of Bath and busking for a living the Showhawk Duo now sell out venues playing their unique takes on dance classics from the late 90’s and early 00’s. From Faithless to the Prodigy, Clean Bandit to Moloko anyone can be given the acoustic make over for their classic Ibiza songs. These guys know how to make a great sound from two guitars and a box that doubles as a drum. If you haven’t heard of them make sure you check out this interview with Carl.
	30/10/2022 Carl interviews Stephen Jones aka Babybird Best known for his huge smash hit You’re Gorgeous Stephen has gone under the radar producing songs under several different names including the theme tune to Gordon Ramsey’s the F-Word. Stephen talks about his different projects, his love of vinyl and the rather disturbing story of how he came to be known as Babybird (not for the squeamish amongst you). One of Carl’s most engaging interviews with a lesser known national treasure.
NOVEMBER 2022
	06/11/2022 Interview with Hugh Cornwell from The Stranglers The always sunny Hugh Cornwell, former lead singer of the Stranglers is an established artist now in his own right. Still touring after 50 years in the music industry, he is responsible for some of the great, and most interesting songs of our time. One of the men in black, Hugh is anything but a dark figure. An interesting interview with the man himself and a selection of his finest songs, past and present.
DECEMBER 2022
	08/12/2022 Interview with Dave Hill from Slade From Twisted Sister to The Smashing Pumpkins, Slade have influences some of the finest rock bands of the 20th and 21st centuries. Noel Gallagher was quoted as saying “no Slade, no Oasis” and the band had five consecutive number ones in the 70’s a feat previously only achieved by the Beatles. Though they were known for their, dodgy haircuts, outrageous outfits and a massive Christmas number one Slade produced many timeless classics from the 70’s and 80’s. Reinvented after a last-minute slot at Glastonbury in 1980, the band first formed in Birmingham in 1966 can truly class themselves as rock royalty. Join Carl talking to Dave Hill (lead guitarist) for two hours of all things Slade. An absolute must for any fans the band.
	26/12/2022 Interview with Jona Lewie The man behind one of the most iconic Christmas songs of all time talks exclusively to Outreach Radio. Only pipped to number one because he shared the top three with John Lennon who had unfortunately been murdered earlier in the same month. Jona has been in the music industry for over 50 years and had previously scored a number two hit with Terry Dactyl and the Dinosaurs before he was singing about being found in the kitchen at Parties. A great character who will be back on the road in 2023 promoting his new album.