The CAT Club (Classic Album Thursdays)

The CAT Club presents An Appreciation of
THE PRETTY THINGS 
With special guest, former band member
WALLY WALLER
The Pretty Things hold a unique place in the history of British rock. Formed in the early sixties from the same London R&B scene that produced The Rolling Stones, they began as one of the rawest and most uncompromising groups before evolving into one of its most adventurous.
Over the course of the decade they helped chart the journey from beat group to album-led experimentation, pushing British rock into darker and more ambitious territory.
Their later work produced some of the period’s most forward-thinking records, including S.F. Sorrow, widely recognised as the first rock opera, and Parachute, now seen as a defining statement of the era. Though rarely rewarded with sustained commercial success, The Pretty Things became a touchstone for musicians drawn to innovation over conformity.
Wally Waller joined the band during this crucial creative period and became a central figure in their development as bassist, singer, songwriter and later producer. His work with The Pretty Things and beyond placed him at the heart of a remarkable era of British music making.
Jason Barnard was in the interviewer’s chair. Another first class interview from JB which aided and abetted by many hours of research by his good self.
A splendid time was had by all.
This event took place on 30th April 2026 in the Pigeon Loft at The Robin Hood, Pontefract, West Yorkshire.
This podcast has been edited for content and for copyright reasons
To find out more about the CAT Club please visit: www.thecatclub.co.uk
Happy Trails.

The CAT Club presents An Audience With
GRAHAM PARKER 
“After doing numerous promotional podcasts and interviews discussing my musical career as it hits 50 years since my first album was released, being onstage at the CAT Club in Pontefract in front of a full house of delightful folks has been the absolute highlight of the entire experience. 
The dedication of the people who run the venue is beyond impressive - you can feel the love they put into every aspect at every moment.
Thanks to Rev, Jason, Drey, Lee, Liz, Amanda and everyone at The CAT Club – I give it 10 stars out of 5!’’ GRAHAM PARKER
Jason Barnard was in the interviewer’s chair.
A splendid time was had by all.
This event took place on 26th March 2026 in the Pigeon Loft at The Robin Hood, Pontefract, West Yorkshire.
This podcast has been edited for content and for copyright reasons
To find out more about the CAT Club please visit: www.thecatclub.co.uk
Happy Trails.

The CAT Club presents a long playing vinyl record:
MARIANNE FAITHFULL – BROKEN ENGLISH
with special guest JUDE ROGERS
Marianne Faithfull’s brilliant album, 'Broken English' from 1979, isn’t pretty and it was never meant to be. It consists of wracked, haunting tales, told over a hypnotic mesh of throbbing synths & wrecked guitars.
Our special guests was journalist, arts critic, broadcaster and Guardian music reviewer Jude Rogers. Jude spent time with the great lady in 2018 and made a superb Radio Four show, ‘Paris With Marianne,’ about her extraordinary life.
Jude was joined on The CAT Club stage by our very own Amanda Cooke in the interviewer’s chair. After the event Jude went on record to say that: “I was interviewed by the brilliant regular attendee Amanda Cook, who was better than 99% of the journalists and bigwigs I’ve encountered at major festivals.”
A splendid time was had by all.
This event took place on 12th March 2026 in the Pigeon Loft at The Robin Hood, Pontefract, West Yorkshire.
This podcast has been edited for content and for copyright reasons
To find out more about the CAT Club please visit: www.thecatclub.co.uk
Happy Trails.

The CAT Club presents a long playing vinyl record:
TOM PETTY & THE HEARTBREAKERS (debut album)
with special guest JOHN WILLIAMS
At the time Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers' eponymous debut was released in 1976, the band were fresh enough to almost be considered punk.
Like the Ramones, they shared a love for ‘60s rock and roll. For the Heartbreakers that meant embracing the Byrds as much as the Stones. The result is a classic album with tuneful jangle balanced by a tough garage swagger.
When we asked acclaimed producer John Williams to pick his favourite album, the man at the helm of many a fine record by The Proclaimers, The Housemartins, Paul Heaton & Jacqui Abbott, Petula Clark, The Waterboys and many others, replied instantly: “The first Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers LP.”
The result was another great CAT Club gathering with our good friend Jeff Matthews in the interviewer’s chair opposite the truly wonderful John Williams.
A splendid time was had by all.
This event took place on 26th February 2026 in the Pigeon Loft at The Robin Hood, Pontefract, West Yorkshire.
This podcast has been edited for content and for copyright reasons
To find out more about the CAT Club please visit: www.thecatclub.co.uk
Happy Trails.

The CAT Club presents a long playing vinyl record . . .
DAVID BOWIE – BLACK STAR
with special guest
PAUL MORLEY
The visionary and haunting Blackstar was released in January 2016 on Bowie’s birthday and just two days before his untimely death.
Writer, broadcaster and cultural critic Paul Morley has written about music, art & entertainment since the 1970s.
A founding member of the electronic collective Art Of Noise, he is the author of the bestselling biography The Age Of Bowie. His other books include biographies of Grace Jones, Dylan, Joy Division and Tony Wilson.
He was an artistic advisor for The David Bowie Is exhibition at the V&A.
His latest book is the acclaimed Far Above The World – The Time And Space Of David Bowie.
In the interviewer’s chair was AMANDA COOK.
This event took place on 29 January 2026 in the Pigeon Loft at The Robin Hood, Pontefract, West Yorkshire.
This podcast has been edited for content and for copyright reasons.
To find out more about the CAT Club please visit: www.thecatclub.co.uk
Happy Trails.