’80s Pop
Simple Minds’ Jim Kerr on Directions of the Heart and Collaborating with Sparks’ Russell Mae
Listen via Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Amazon Podcasts | Stitcher | Pocket Casts | Radio Public | RSS Simple Minds’ Jim Kerr catches up with Kyle Meredith to talk about Directions of the Heart, the band’s 19th studio album. Advertisement Related Video The frontman tells us about reaching into their past for songs like “Act of Love” (which was the first song they played at their first show in 1978, but never recorded), as well as being inspired by Patti Smith, Lou Reed, Television, and Talking Heads. Kerr also discusses having his friend Russell Mael of Sparks guest on a track, the backstory of 1998’s Neapolis, and being a generation-defining band only to have the emergence of Nirvana and Pearl...
Bananarama on Masquerade, 40th Anniversary, and Living Above the Sex Pistols
Listen via Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Amazon Podcasts | Stitcher | Pocket Casts | Radio Public | RSS Bananarama’s Sara Dallin and Keren Woodward talk about their new LP, Masquerade, when they drop by Kyle Meredith With… The album arrives on the 40th anniversary of the band and finds the duo leaning into Europop, “period disco,” and plenty of nods to their ’80s beginnings. Advertisement Related Video The London songwriters discuss co-writing with Sara’s daughter, Alice D; themes of inclusivity and diversity; and how little things had socially progressed since the ’80s — until recently. Dallin and Woodward also take us back to their more punk-leaning beginnings living above Sex Pistols’ Steve Jones and Pa...
There Would Be No Depeche Mode Without Andy Fletcher
Throughout his time with Depeche Mode, Andy “Fletch” Fletcher became accustomed to one question more than others. “What exactly is it that you do?” It was a fair query. Fletcher — who passed away Thursday (May 26th) at the age of 60 — was an enigma amidst bandmates with clearly-defined roles. Dave Gahan holds forth as lead singer. Martin Gore is the band’s primary instrumentalist and prolific composer. Even former members Vince Clarke and Alan Wilder had delineated responsibilities in the group’s operation. Fletcher, however, was content to be “the guy that stands in the back.” Tall. Unassuming. Genial, even. Onstage he stood behind a keyboard but could appear as if he’d just happened to wander onto the set. He was the only band member with no songwriting credits, and at a certain point hi...
Robert Fripp and a Pixelated Toyah Cover Eurythmics’ “Sweet Dreams”: Watch
Another Sunday means another performance from King Crimson guitarist Robert Fripp and singer Toyah Willcox. The married couple are once again joined by mysterious second guitarist Sidney Jake for a cover of the Eurythmics classic “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)”. As she’s done in the past, Toyah sports nothing but a sheer top and body paint, but apparently this one was a bit too revealing. Perhaps she got an alert from YouTube upon uploading the video, or decided to censor the clip herself, but either way there’s strategically placed pixelation throughout the performance. And while Toyah’s skimpy outfits often take center stage in the couple’s weekly “Sunday Lunch” series of cover songs, her voice shines on the Eurythmics cover, as she delivers a nice clean version of the 1983 single. As ...
Lamb of God’s Randy Blythe and a Ton of Other Acts Turn Prince’s “I Would Die 4 U” into a Hardcore Song: Stream
<span class="localtime" data-ltformat="F j, Y | g:ia" data-lttime="2021-06-07T18:07:06+00:00“>June 7, 2021 | 2:07pm ET Lamb of God frontman Randy Blythe and a host of other heavy music artists have turned Prince’s “I Would Die 4 U” into a hardcore song. It’s the latest edition of Two Minutes to Late Night’s “Bedroom Covers” quarantine series. In addition to Blythe, some other big names appearing on the cover include Walter Schreifels of Gorilla Biscuits and Quicksand, The Armed’s Urian V. Hackney, and current and former members of Harm’s Way, the Dillinger Escape Plan, War on Women, and many more. The massive crew help with the New York Hardcore-style gang vocals that make this Prince cover truly one of a kind. Who knew the classic ’80s love song c...
Coheed and Cambria Unleash “Jessie’s Girl 2” Featuring Rick Springfield: Stream
Coheed and Cambria have recorded and released a sequel to Rick Springfield’s ubiquitous 1981 hit “Jessie’s Girl”. What’s more, the song and accompanying music video feature Springfield himself. “Jessie’s Girl 2” is not a cover of the ’80s pop hit, but a brand-new song that continues Springfield’s story about losing out on the love of his life to one of his friends. It’s a left-field collaboration from the progressive rock heroes and the veteran pop idol, but Coheed frontman Claudio Sanchez said he was inspired to tell the rest of Springfield’s story. Sanchez stated, “Has anyone ever written a sequel to another artist’s song? I don’t think so. As a fan of movies, it just seemed like a really interesting idea.” While the song picks up where Springfield’s hit left off, it doesn’t have a...
The Legacy of Whitney Houston in 10 Duets
Subscribe now to our ongoing Whitney Houston season of The Opus. You can also prep for the experience by listening to Whitney Houston via all major streaming services or enter to win a copy of Vinyl Me, Please’s 35th anniversary Whitney Houston box set. Spotify | Google Play | Stitcher | Radio Public | RSS Follow on Facebook | Podchaser The term “diva” was not coined or derived for Whitney Houston. That being said, nobody’s ever been more worthy than her to don that honorific. Our best memories of Houston recall a performer with grace, humor, and a voice that could leave a crowd speechless with both its power and range. However, the images of Houston burned in our mind — in true diva fashion — don’t see her often sharing a stage. The hits that’ll go on long af...
