Steve and Doug take a good luck at the history and discography of one of the biggest bands in the world! From playing pubs to selling out world tours, from concert to interactive music videos, from atmospheric rock to shameless pop, Coldplay has done it all. Also: mental illness, DUIs, kiss cams, and Gene Simmons getting pissy.

Music featured this episode:
Adventure Of A Lifetime - A Head Full Of Dreams
Lost! - Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends
Clocks - A Rush Of Blood To The Head
​Magic - Ghost Stories

6:37 - Gene Simmons said what we're all thinking... but as usual goes a little too aggressive in his assessment of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees

8:48 - Yes we did talk about Lauryn Hill quite a bit! Check out our episode on One Album Wonders

48:53 - Yeah, Pitchfork gave Parachutes a fairly neutered review. Ouch!

51:47 - With hindsight, it's easy to overlook Coldplay's American debut on Conan. But at the time, they must have been crushed.

1:03:34 - Here's the Royksopp Trembling Heart Mix of Clocks. Music is pretty groovy but the lyrics feel a little mismatched.

1:03:49 - And if you like the sound of them, here's our episode R Is For Royksopp

​1:10:10 & 1:10:20 - These are the openings of both versions of Talk (or Talk X and Talk Y as Doug proposes)

1:18:07 - Man these guys are really hard to please. Pitchfork give X&Y a pretty lackluster review.

1:19:04 - New York Times were pretty hard on Coldplay even at this point (sorry, article is behind a paywall!)

1:34:54 - Ed Sheeran demonstrates how he won his copyright court case on the Howard Stern Show

1:40:21 - White Town has three Christmas songs, but Doug is referring to Say You'll Be Home For Christmas

1:40:53 - The song is Puddleglum by Said The Whale

1:42:55 - I put in the song Blade Runner (End Titles) by Vangelis, because (let's be honest) it fits better

2:05:05 - Yes, tragically Avicii died by suicide

2:12:19 - Désolé by Gorillaz is such a great example of blending Western and World music, but it's a trick Gorillaz do often

2:16:47 - Doug will do impressions on commission if you ask

2:30:06 - Aardman Animation is best known for the Wallace & Gromit series and related spinoffs (like Shaun The Sheep)

2:32:07 - If you haven't seen Da Funk by Daft Punk, directed by Spike Jonez, you're missing out

2:53:56 - Even deaf people can love Coldplay, according to this insanely expensive music video for feelslikeimfallinginlove

2:57:17 - clown core is nuts but also fascinating

Doug's Recommendations
High Speed - Parachutes
Warning Sign - A Rush Of Blood To The Head
​Arabesque - Everyday Life

Steve's Recommendations:
Trouble - Parachutes
X&Y - X&Y
Major Minus - Mylo Xyloto


Coldplay's Official Website

Once again back across the pond to England, where we take a deep dive into the turbulent and fascinating career of Bloc Party. Rock, dance, electronic, experimental - is there anything these guys won't try? Steve and Doug also chat about the recent Newsboys fiasco, being a hero, and so many deluxe editions.

Music featured this episode:
The Prayer - A Weekend In The City
Octopus - Four
​Banquet - Silent Alarm

1:46 - You can watch the silly minute long real on YouTube here

5:35 - The excellently named Don Ferguson would regularly portray Preston Manning in the Royal Canadian Air Farce. It's really dated at this point, but back in the 90's this was hilarious (this isn't the specific sketch Doug was referring to, but it's the same sort of thing)

6:16 - Here is the Legal Eagle video "How Swift Got Her Masters Back"

6:32 - Rick Beato interviewing Sting. If you love music, you should watch Rick's channel

7:29 - Steve got two stories mixed up, and both are stupid. John Fogerty was sued by his old label for recording a new song that sounded too much like a previous song, and Neil Young was sued by his then-current label for not sounding ENOUGH like himself

12:44 - I know it sounds made up, but it's true: here's the article about how a search for a distressed man in the woods turned up a solo camper just singing Nickelback

14:22 - Here is the full archive of all stories pertaining to Michael Tait on The Roys Report

17:18 - Here were our thoughts up to 2014 in N Is For Newsboys

27:40 - Here is Matt Tong's interview with 22 Grand Pod from 2024 

45:22 - Here is Bloc Party's live performance of Banquet on Conan in 2005

48:44 - Unfortunately "God Bless Bloc Party" is quite boring, but you can judge for yourself

1:05:27 - Here's the video for Flux

1:10:14 - Here is the bonus documentary of "The Making Of A Weekend In The City"

​1:19:13 - Listen to our conversation S Is For Stars

1:25:35 - In case you missed it, the disco track is called "Dance With You" by Carrie Lucas

1:40:34 - Here is one of many videos of Louise Bartle killing it on the drums

​1:53:10 - Huh?? What??? Here's NME's incredibly poor quality interview with Bloc Party

1:54:11 - Here is REMIC's ranking of the Bloc Party albums as of 2022

1:57:40 - You can read all about Help! A Day In The Life here

Doug's Recommendations:
Little Thoughts - Silent Alarm
V.A.L.I.S. - Four
Ares - Intimacy
The Present - Help! A Day In The Life

Steve's Recommendations:
The Price Of Gasoline - Silent Alarm
Talons - Intimacy
In Situ - Alpha Games


Bloc Party's Official Website

After months of research, Steve and Doug return to examine the full(ish) career of Ariel Pink in all his incarnations! Often hailed as a forefather of hypnogagic pop, Pink has dabbled in beach rock, lo fi, shoegaze, and experimental rock. The fellas also wax on evolution of sound, fostering a reputation, cancel culture, and the Death of the Author.

Music featured this week:
Diaper Duty - Never Made A Demo, Ever
Round And Round - Before Today
For Kate I Wait - The Doldrums
Kitchen Witch - Dedicated To Bobby Jameson

10:09 - Check out our episode on One Album Wonders!

11:55 - I've been a big fan of the works of Doug Harrison for a couple years now. Show him some love on his Slug Comparison Bandcamp and his FEN Bandcamp 

18:16 - See for yourself! Here's Wikipedia's entry for Ariel Pink's Discography

 20:32 - Default's debut album was "The Fallout"

22:45 - If you haven't seen the trailer to Grindhouse, you're missing out

25:25 - It's "Dot's Vinyl Gone Bad" by Pogo

26:00 - You can read all about the D>E>A>T>H>M>E>T>A>L EP by Panchiko here

​35:42 - Upon revisiting this doc, it looks like the full group has been assembled by this point. This is "Raw Spice", if you're interested

43:56 - Here's the music video for "For Kate I Wait"

44:40 - No joke! Check out how low quality the video is for Mariah Carey's "All I Want For Christmas Is You"

45:54 - "Mariah Carey But She Needs To Sneeze"

​57:12 - Yeah, you heard him correctly. The lyrics are... really something

59:25 - The video for "Alisa" is down below

1:01:50 - Not much happens in the video for "Didn't It Click"

​1:15:30 - Here it is! All 10 tracks of Ariel Pink's Halloween on Spotify

1:31:20 - You can scope out the whole track here, it's "I Remember A Man" by Yeshimebet Dubale from 1980

1:37:07 - Here's the *not insanely priced* copy of Ku Klux Glam by R. Stevie Moore and Ariel Pink on Bandcamp (and here's the crazy one if you're interested)

1:38:39 - At least she had a good sense of humour about it! Geneva Jacuzzi is seen right at the beginning of "Only In My Dreams" kicking Ariel out of their apartment... or motel??

1:46:57 - Here's the full article from The Guardian: "I'm Not That Guy That Everyone Hates" from November 15 2014

1:55:15 - Take some time to check out the Myths 002 EP

​2:00:49 - Here's "White Stuff" by Royal Trux, and "Pink Stuff" by Ariel Pink

2:03:10 - Here's the trailer to "TFW No GF"

2:04:51 - Check out the video for "Burned Out Love"

​2:08:03 - Brake Check Podcast Episode 06: Ariel Pink (Spotify link)

2:11:45 - Wrong Opinion Podcast Episode 84: Ariel Pink (Spotify link)

2:13:45 - Here's Ariel Pink's appearance on the Adam Friedland Show

2:15:23 - TRIGGERnometry Podcast Episode Ariel Pink "I Lost My Career For Attending Peaceful Trump Rally" (Spotify link)

2:23:15 - Here's a link to an article by Pitchfork about the allegations, and then a follow up by The Guardian

 2:26:35 - Ariel Pink's interview with human wasteland Tucker Carlson

2:30:33 - If you haven't heard "Dracula's Music Cabinet" by The Vampires Of Dartmoore, you're missing out (Spotify link)

2:36:46 - Here's the Fox News segment where Ariel Pink and Winston Marshall talk about the Christmas single "Rudolph's Laptop", and here's the full music video by kingcon2k11

2:47:20 - If you're looking for something a little different, check out the Bandcamp page for Paul White

2:48:15 - The Roseanne Barr Podcast Episode 091: "Cancelled And Uncaged With Ariel Pink" (Spotify link)

3:01:34 - Here's Lindsay Ellis' two videos "Death Of The Author" and "Death Of The Author 2: Rowling Boogaloo". And yes, I know she had a really horrific experience with cancel culture (ironically), but no we're not getting into that right now

Doug's Recommendations:
​Immune To Emotion - Worn Copy
Not Enough Violence - pom pom
Round And Round - Before Today
Nonsequitar Segues - A Decade Deeper

Steve's Recommendations:
Bright Lit Blue Sky - Before Today
Trepanated Earth - Worn Copy
Baby - Mature Themes

​
Ariel Pink's Substack

Ariel Pink's Bandcamp

Darkside Family Jams on Bandcamp

Ariel Pink's YouTube Channel

Steve's in the mood to get a game going! The participants: Doug, father figure Stuart, and Their Friend Travis. The question? Do they know their Bond themes? Join the intrigue and silliness as the fellas get stumped or answer some teasers with ease. Which ones had you never heard?

Music featured this week:
James Bond Theme - John Barry & Orchestra (composed by Monty Norman)
Goldfinger - Shirley Bassey

1:21 - Stuart is referring to the episodes U Is For U2, Part 1 & Part 2

1:35 - Doug is correct! Both Travis and Stuart were around for our special episode on our Top Five Favourite Albums (although Stuart isn't in the picture)

​1:45 - You can listen to our special on One Album Wonders here

4:23 - Steve just managed to get that one. It was Mya who did the theme song for the video game "Everything Or Nothing"

4:28 - Esthero did the theme for "Nightfire" called "Nearly Civilized" and it's pretty great

5:10 - Monty Norman and John Barry are the two greatest influences to music in the Bond films, hands down

​7:12 - For the record "Millennium" by Robbie Williams is excellent

16:01 - In fairness, Shirley Bassey did THREE Bond themes. Can you name them?

17:47 - Dr, No doesn't have a dedicated theme song, per se. The opening credits open on the James Bond theme, before transitioning on Caribbean percussion (as heard in this clip), and then finally into a native rendition of "Three Blind Mice." This actually makes for a very stylized opening sequence.

24:31 - It was actually a huge bit of musical foreshadowing for the film. Those familiar with "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" would recognize that it signifies that Bond's newfound love was doomed.

29:00 - You can scope out the whole demo for "GoldenEye" by Bono and The Edge here

31:30 - You can check out Radiohead's "SPECTRE" synched up with the actual opening credit sequence here

​Stuart's Bond Theme Pick:
Diamonds Are Forever - Shirley Bassey

Travis' Bond Theme Picks:
Skyfall - Adele
Goldfinger - Shirley Bassey

Doug's Bond Theme Pick:
GoldenEye - Tina Turner

Steve's Bond Theme Pick:
You Know My Name - Chris Cornell

Calling a song or a band a one hit wonder can be dependent on region or even just faulty memory. But what about one album wonders? Steve and Doug take a look at bands who released just one glorious studio album, then faded away. Along the way they chat about AI Taylor Swift, strange live albums, and albums composed via mail.

Today's Albums:
Lauryn Hill - The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill - August 1998
New Radicals - Maybe You've Been Brainwashed Too - October 1998
The Postal Service - Give Up - February 2003
Hird - Moving On - September 2004
Beast - Beast - November 2008
Kordan - The Longing - October 2010

Music featured this week:
Harry Nilsson - One
Lauryn Hill - Doo Wop (That Thing)
New Radicals - You Get What You Give
The Postal Service - Such Great Heights
Hird - Keep You Kimi
Beast - Finger Prints
​Kordan - Mirror

8:31 - You can listen to it here: D is for dep

9:09 - You can take a look at Danny Peck's new album on his official website

​26:49 - The movie is 1998's Bulworth, starring Warren Beatty and Halle Berry. It's about a politician who sudden decides to be honest, truthful, and... urban

42:55 - We spoke at length about the amazing and varied career of percussionist Pat Mastelotto in our last episode. Although a prolific prog drummer for King Crimson, the world may know him best as the drummer for The Rembrandts, whose song "I'll Be There For You" is the theme song for Friends

49:01 - I think I've pronounced Danielle Brisebois's name three different ways by this point

54:14 - I'm thinking of "Tonight, Tonight" by Smashing Pumpkins

1:37:40 - Here's "Running Low" and "Deep Mod" by Hird

1:59:22 - You can check out Artur Flor's Bandcamp page here

2:03:03 - Here's the Soundcloud page for TAKE's "Mirror (No Reflection Remix)"

​2:09:00 - Kordan has done quite a few remixes. The early ones no longer available on their Bandcamp page includes "Endless Spring" originally by Houses and "He Was Worse Than The Needle He Gave You" originally by The Delta Mirror

2:13:10 - We did indeed! R Is For Remy Shand

​
​Lauryn Hill's Official Website

New Radicals's AllMusic Entry

The Postal Service's Official Website

Christoffer Berg's (aka Hird) Soundcloud

Beast's AllMusic Entry

Kordan's Bandcamp

Wrapping up this alphabet run (for real this time guys), Steve and Doug investigate the 90's hair metal band 21 Guns! The fellas also chat about podcast hosting (how exciting!), compilations, soundtrack albums, and music released in the wrong decade.

Six Degrees From King Crimson:
21 Guns ->  Trapeze -> John Wetton -> King Crimson

Music featured this week:
Knee Deep - Salute
Blood Gone Bad - Demo-Lition
Mister Mofo - Nothing's Real

5:21 - It's true! We are on JioSaavn!

8:43 - Steve recommends it! Check out "Shine: How A MuchMusic Compilation Came To Define Canadian Alternative Music and Sell a Zillion Copies" by Mark Teo!

9:51 - Sloan's "The Good In Everyone" with an absurdly long intro

10:16 - Limblifter's "Ariel Vs Lotus"
​
12:24 - Here's the May 28th episode of Prog Rock Alley, where Doug shares an interesting discovery through a Spotify playlist

18:55 - If you haven't seen SNL's Celebrity Jeopardy with John Travolta, you really should

21:07 - Here's the video for "Method To My Madness" by A440

27:32 - You can find anything online these days. The August 22 1992 edition of Billboard. Salute is on page 82.

Doug's Recommendations:
Little Sister - Salute
King's Vengeance - Nothing's Real

Steve's Recommendations:
Battered and Bruised - Salute
Underground - Nothing's Real
Blood Gone Bad - Demo-Lition


21 Guns on Discogs

21 Guns on AllMusic

Wrapping up this fifth alphabet run (and thank you for bearing with us!), Steve and Doug explore the world of prog / arena / glam rockers Zon! Along the way they'll talk about bad newspaper reviews, riots, and all the good times.

Six Degrees From King Crimson:
Zon / Act III -> Rik Emmett -> Triumph -> Phil X -> Bon Jovi -> Tony Bongiovi -> Talking Heads -> Adrian Belew

Music featured this week:
Put On The Show - Astral Projector
Want My Baby - I'm Worried About The Boys!
Back Down To Earth - Back Down To Earth
Gods And Kings - Back Down To Earth

3:13 - Here's last year's episode Allie Hasn't... Heard Mid 2000's Music

10:46 - Over the next two days after recording this episode, Steve dug in and started distributing the show to other platforms, so take a look! We're probably on your fave one now!

11:35 - To hear the broadcast of Prog Rock Alley that Doug cohosted and curated the list for, click here!

11:55 - Steve's mostly joking

​15:00 - Watch it here! Check out Rock History Music's video "How Much Bad Luck Could One Band Possibly Have? The History Of Zon"

​19:33 - Steve's not even close. A&R stands for Artists & Repertoire. But he got the job right - the A&R person goes looking for talent

20:09 - Here's the full listing of nominees and winners of the 1979 Juno Awards, if you're into that 

57:00 - Here's a great article about the passing of Brian Miller

1:04:24 - Steve is referencing the negative feedback the guys got for **daring** to record an episode devoted to Queen City Kids. You can scope out that whole story here

1:05:15 - It's true! A Is For The Alan Parsons Project came out March 31, 2020

Doug's Recommendations:
Hollywood - Astral Projector
Just The Other Side Of Love - I'm Worried About The Boys!

Steve's Recommendations:
On The Road - Astral Projector
Point Of View / Spend My Dollar - Zon Live


​Zon's Discogs Entry

Howard Helms's Official Site

The duo are back to chat about post-punk turned dance electronic band Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Along the way, the guys talk about the New York music scene of the early 00's, bands that come back from a long hiatus, cover art designed to make parents mad, and the nutty state of streaming services.

Music featured this week:
Zero - It's Blitz!
Maps - Fever To Tell
Burning - Cool It Down

0:46 - It was a 5 day hike over 50 km (30 miles) of rough coastal rainforest terrain. Incredible but exhausting. The Juan de Fuca Trail

2:56 - Here's the new single from The Hives: Bogus Operandi

​10:24 - Here's the trailer for "Meet Me In The Bathroom" if you're interested! Good luck finding it!

13:49 - Do you think of The Hives as punk? Why not listen to our full argument in our episode H Is For The Hives?

21:43 - No joke! Here's the list of notable alumni from NYU's Tisch School Of The Arts

29:17 - For reference, here's the music video for "Maps"

​37:09 - That writer is Max Martin, who wrote a solid majority of the pop songs from that time period

40:06 - Sorry, not a cover but an interpolation. The song is "Hold Up", and the line is "They don't love you like I love you"

41:00 - If you're serious about learning about music, it's hard to go wrong with Trash Theory. Here's the video "How Yeah Yeah Yeah's 'Maps' Transcended The Post-Punk Revival"

42:25 - "There Is No Modern Romance" is a great little doc about their time touring for the release of 'Fever To Tell'

1:05:04 - Doug is, of course, quoting Star Trek II: The Wrath Of Khan. It totally derailed Steve

1:06:25 - If blood-sucking bugs give you the heebie-jeebies, don't watch the music video for "Mosquito"

1:11:20 - We actually had this conversation about guest rappers a little more in-depth in our episode N Is For No Doubt

1:23:02 - Werewolves make music videos awesome. Here's "The Yeah Yeah Yeah Song" by The Flaming Lips

Doug's Track Recommendations:
Phenomena - Show Your Bones
Hysteric - It's Blitz!
Art Star - Yeah Yeah Yeahs EP

Steve's Track Recommendations:
Art Star - Yeah Yeah Yeahs EP
Heads Will Roll - It's Blitz!
Always - Mosquito
Y Control - Fever To Tell

Yeah Yeah Yeah's Official Website

Yeah Yeah Yeah's Bandcamp

Steve and Doug brush up on punk history this episode with a special request, X-Ray Spex, founded by fashion and music icon Poly Styrene. The guys also talk about mental illness, long-awaited reunions, and one killer sax. Also, screw Ticketmaster.

Six Degrees From King Crimson:
X-Ray Spex -> Falcon Stuart -> Adam & The Ants -> Chris Hughes -> Peter Gabriel -> Robert Fripp -> King Crimson

Music featured this week:
Oh Bondage Up Yours! - Oh Bondage Up Yours! single
Junk Food Junkie - Conscious Consumer
Germfree Adolescents - Germfree Adolescents
Party - Conscious Consumer

4:19 - Definitely check out our episode U Is For UJ3RK5

​10:04 - Hear our episode T Is For Tears For Fears

​22:35 - Steve and Doug are not orthodontists

30:22 - Lora Logic tells that and a bunch of more stories in this interview with The Guardian from November 2022

43:04 - No joke, check out the soundtrack to "Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World"

48:48 - Just as a heads up, Steve has a degree in psychology, so he's not just stating a random opinion

​55:39 - Most notably in our episode N Is For Neon Indian

59:28 - This is "Is It A Dream" by Classix Nouveaux

59:47 - And this is "A Cry For Help In A World Gone Mad" by Agent Orange

1:00:08 - From the album Translucence by Poly Styrene, this is "Talk In Toytown"

1:01:08 - The obituary from the BBC has Boy George making this bizarre claim

1:03:36 - This was the smash, and many times sampled, his from The Waitresses "I Know What Boys Like" 

1:07:27 - AllMusic gives a pretty succinct biography of the band, but don't mention Conscious Consumer at all, which is a strange omission

1:09:25 - Here's Poly Styrene's interview with the Sunday Times, but it's behind a paywall so have fun with that

1:11:56 - Trash Theory did this great video on X-Ray Spex and their impact

1:20:15 - Here's Allie Hasn't Seen Batman: The Animated Series and Doug Hasn't Seen Teen Titans

Doug's Recommendations:
Obsessed With You - Germfree Adolescents
I Can't Do Anything - Germfree Adolescents
Crystal Clear - Conscious Consumer

Steve's Recommendations:
Highly Inflammable - Highly Inflammable single
Dog In Sweden - Conscious Consumer
I Can't Do Anything - Germfree Adolescents


X-Ray Spex's Official Website

X-Ray Spex's YouTube Channel

This episode, Steve and Doug reflect on the composing duo A Winged Victory For The Sullen who have mastered the blending of orchestra and electronic. The guys also wax about the Grammys, a new edition of the Kanye West Report, nipples, and insomnia music.

Music featured this week:
​Steep Hills Of Vicodin Tears - A Winged Victory For The Sullen
ATOMOS VII - ATOMOS
Adios, Florida - The Undivided Five
Only The Names Of The Airport Changes - Only The Names Of The Airport Changes (single)

1:58 - As you can see from this partial discography, prolific is the optimal word to use for Tony Levin's career

12:27 - It's really making the rounds, and here's a story from AV Club about Ben Affleck at the Grammys

19:50 - As mentioned again a bit later, the music has been set to a (mirrored) video of the Russian animated film "My Love", and the two compliment each other very well!

22:45 - We go back and forth between "winged" and "wing-ed" this entire episode

32:07 - Here's a trailer for Wayne McGregor's ATOMOS dance project

​40:16 - Doug is referring to "An Ending (Ascent)" by Brian Eno from the 28 Days Later soundtrack

Doug's Recommendations:
ATOMOS X - ATOMOS
Aqualung, Motherfucker - The Undivided Five
The Celestial City - Invisible Cities

Steve's Recommendations:
ATOMOS VI - ATOMOS
The Rhythm Of A Dividing Pair - The Undivided Five
Only The Names Of The Airport Changes - Only The Names Of The Airport Changes (single)


A Winged Victory For The Sullen's Official Website

A Winged Victory For The Sullen's Bandcamp

Steve and Doug get all spooooooky with one of the most influential British acts of the 1990's and the subject of one of the hands down most intriguing music legal battles in history: The Verve! The guys also yak about bargain store finds, the UK music market, and the Staple Singers. Poor guys.

Songs Featured This Week:
​Love Is Noise - Forth
History - A Northern Soul
Bittersweet Symphony - Urban Hymns

1:08 - Here is the Moving_Piktures review of Kid Dracula

1:14 - And here's their Beast Wars Wednesday special on "Beast Wars Monopoly"

2:33 - And here's their episode of "Allie Hasn't... Seen The Monster Squad" hot on the heels of JoBlo's "WTF Happened To The Monster Squad Cast?"

6:13 - It's called The Seventh Seal

7:10 - Or here, just click here to see our Terminal City News episode called "The Real Losers"

8:00 - We once did a short zombie film called "Last Man Alive"

​17:54 - Although it's true that Muse's debut album "Showbiz" came out in 1999, the band officially formed in 1994!

47:10 - Doug has an ongoing series about his wife Allie being introduced to stuff, and it's strangely charming. Here's "Allie Hasn't... Heard 90's Pop Music"

54:01 - For more on that unfortunately named band, check out our episode M Is For The Music

​Doug's Recommendations:
This Time - Urban Hymns
Brainstorm Interlude - A Northern Soul
Valium Skies - Forth
Noise Epic - Forth

Steve's Recommendations:
A Storm In Heaven
See You In The Next One (Have A Good Time) - A Storm In Heaven
History - A Northern Soul
​Columbo - Forth
Noise Epic - Forth


The Verve's Official Website

Steve and Doug close out the summer with British rock band turned house-techno-electronica trio/duo/trio (phew!) soundtrack gurus Underworld! The fellas also chat about changing genres, the delicate art of soundtracks, and musical projects that transcend albums.

Six Degrees From King Crimson:
Karl Hyde -> Brian Eno -> Adrian Belew/Robert Fripp

Songs Featured This Week:
Dirty Epic - dubnobasswithmyheadman
Stand Up - Change The Weather
Jumbo - Beaucoup Fish

0:46 - Once again, here's the link to his Epic Marvel Podcast

​2:36 - Steve's son Andrew absolutely adores Creo, and maybe you might too

3:57 - That track is called "Kong" and it's off of the album Black Sands

7:26 - You know, General Orlov! He wants to take over the world!

22:05 - Here's the website for the graphic arts company Tomato

​38:19 - Steve's referring to his playlist for Prog Rock Alley that he aired on September 21, 2021

42:22 - If you missed it, you can check out the Prog Rock Alley episode Doug curated on Plunderphonics and Vaporwave

1:02:03 - Want some serious food for thought? Check out DEVS on FX / Disney Plus

​Doug's Recommendations:
Ban Style / Sappy's Curry - Second Toughest In The Infants
Two Months Off - A Hundred Days Off
To Heal - Oblivion With Bells

Steve's Recommendations:
Dark And Long (Dark Train) - Trainspotting #2
Moon In Water - Barking
Appleshine - DRIFT Episode 2: Atom
​

Underworld's Official Website

Underworld's Bandcamp

Steve and Doug go back to one of the most successful bands out of the 80's that defined an era, and possibly therapy: Tears For Fears. The band went from a group of teens in the post-punk scene to some of the most innovative pop songs, but what slowed down their momentum? Along the way, they also chat about solo acts, perfect cover songs (again), CD's on eBay, and Steve's weird encounter with Terry David Mulligan.

Six Degrees From King Crimson:
Tears For Fears -> Peter Gabriel -> Robert Fripp -> King Crimson
Tears For Fears -> Phil Collins -> Robert Fripp -> King Crimson
Tears For Fears -> Mel Collins -> King Crimson

Songs featured this week:
Shout - Songs From The Big Chair
The Tipping Point - The Tipping Point
Mad World - The Hurting
Last Days On Earth - Everybody Loves A Happy Ending

0:55 - Here's the podcast's page: The Epic Marvel Podcast. We're in there for all the movie ones

7:11 - O Is For OMC

​7:20 - It's true! Justin Bieber and the Maple Leafs teamed up for a jersey design...which sold really really well

16:41 - Here's the final King Crimson-less episode on U Is For UJ3RK5

​34:40 - Change! You can Change!

35:00 - When people run in circles it's a very very Mad World

44:03 - Some of the links are out of date, but Doug did indeed include Head Over Heels as #5 in his Top 100 Favourite Songs

50:30 - Hear more of our thoughts with U Is For U2 Part 1

53:00 - Here's an unfortunately poor quality interview of Tears For Fears on Vancouver music show Good Rockin' Tonight

1:47:47 - Show some love to Vinyl Me, Please. You won't regret it

1:48:15 - That's "Hey Boy Hey Girl" by The Chemical Brothers, if you didn't know already

1:49:18 - Yeah yeah, here's Bastille's "Pompeii x Emotional Damage"

Doug's Recommendations:
Songs From The Big Chair
Broken / Head Over Heels / Broken - Songs From The Big Chair
Raoul and the Kings of Spain - Raoul and the Kings of Spain
Last Days On Earth - Everybody Loves A Happy Ending

Steve's Recommendations:
Pale Shelter - Pale Shelter single
The Way You Are - The Way You Are single
Elemental - Elemental
Songs From The Big Chair


Tears For Fears' Official Website

Tears For Fears' YouTube Page

It's the band we've spoken about the most that haven't done an episode on yet: here it is! Canadian band Stars, and their constantly evolving sound. From pop hits to experimental electronica, Stars constantly strives to mature their sound. The fellas also talk about Taylor Swift dishing on her exes, pop hooks, and helping out your fellow bands.

Music featured this week:
Take Me To The Riot - In Our Bedroom After The War
We Don't Want Your Body - The Five Ghosts
Elevator Love Letter - Heart
In Our Bedroom After The War - In Our Bedroom After The War

1:38 - New Order's newest track "Be A Rebel" doesn't appear to affiliated with any upcoming album

5:40 - This is a fantastic breakdown of Taylor Swift re-recording an earlier album to get her rights back, and with two awesome YouTubers, Legal Eagle and Rick Beato: How Taylor Swift (Legally) Changed Music Forever

​13:26 - "Whoever has the power becomes the bully." Howard Stern's 2011 interview with Lady Gaga opens with some severe threats from some little monsters. Gaga gives them a comforting but straightforward reproach.

21:09 - Steve wasn't a fan of Miracle Fortress' "Five Roses" but really liked "Was I The Wave"

29:07 - You can hear more thoughts on Broken Social Scene here: B Is For Broken Social Scene

35:48 - Yep, here it is! D Is For The Dears

36:58 - "Thumbs down?!? I'm astonished"  Siskel and Ebert review Casino (1995)

49:18 - Looks like Steve and Doug are wrong! Amy Millan doesn't take lead on any of the songs on Broken Social Scene's self-titled album, but provides backing vocals to four of the tracks

52:00 - Here's the IMDb info on "The Cabin Movie" from 2005

55:14 - From "Twilight: New Moon" is this scene in a cinema lobby, which was The Ridge in Vancouver, where Steve was head manager for a few years before it closed down. God I miss it - RIP
​
1:30:03 - Check out the video for "We Don't Want Your Body"

2:00:09 - Here's the Moving_Piktures episodes of "Allie Hasn't Seen...The Lion King", "Allie Hasn't Seen...The Lion King 1 1/2", and "Allie Hasn't Seen...The Lion King 2"

Doug's Recommendations:
Do You Trust Your Friends?
The Ghost Of Genova Heights - In Our Bedroom After The War
14 Forever - Sad Robots EP
He Lied About Death - Set Yourself On Fire

Steve's Recommendations:
Do You Trust Your Friends?​
Violent - The Comeback EP
Life 2: The Unhappy Ending - In Our Bedroom After The War
The Maze - There Is No Love In Fluorescent Light


Stars' Official Website

Stars' Bandcamp

Stars' Patreon

From North Carolina comes The Rosebuds, made up of duo Ivan Howard and Kelly Crisp. The band goes from beach rock to cheesy synths to contemplative melancholia, all within one remarkable decade. Steve and Doug also chat about this year's Polaris Music Prize, Christmas albums, and the dynamics of breaking up your relationship when in a band together.

Music featured this week:
​Life Like - Life Like
Get Up, Get Out - Night Of The Furies
Woods - Loud Planes Fly Low
​Night Of The Furies - Night Of The Furies

3:07 - Buck 65 is a Canadian hip hop artist... and apparently a radio DJ on CBC Radio 2

6:30 - It is Our 5 Most Hated Songs

​16:43 - Doug is teasing his next video, Allie Hasn't Seen... Who Framed Roger Rabbit?

16:53 - Steve mentions this appearance on KEXP in 2014 a couple times

33:40 - Here's Gayng's Bandcamp page

40:45 - You can check out our past episodes X Is For Xiu Xiu and F Is For The Flaming Lips for more thoughts on these albums!

45:40 - The album Steve is thinking of is Enya's "And Winter Came..." from 2008

1:03:43 - Meow?
​
Doug's Recommendations:
Unwind - Unwind EP
Night Of The Furies - Night Of The Furies
Esse Quam Videri - Sound + Silence

Steve's Recommendations:
​Boxcar - Birds Make Good Neighbors
​My Punishment For Fighting - Night Of The Furies
Limitless Arms - Loud Planes Fly Low


The Rosebuds' Bandcamp

The Rosebuds' YouTube

Coming across the world from Savona, Italy, are prog rock masters Qirsh! Steve and Doug also take the time to chat about perfecting your art, cheesy settings on a keyboard, and why Pink Floyd is still one of the best bands in the world.

Music featured this week:
Notizie dalla citt​à (News From The City) - Una Città Per Noi (A City For Us)
Rianimazione (Resuscitation) - Sola Andata (One Way)
Rumors - Aspera Tempora Parte 1 (Rough Times Part 1)

1:30 - My eternal love for Backblaze

3:24 - Check out Doug's YouTube channel here!

​​5:01 - Wait, Steve has a radio show?? That's right! For the last year Steve has been on 100.5 FM CFRO Co-op Radio here in Vancouver with his show Prog Rock Alley. Check it out!

9:57 - For the episodes mentioned: B Is For Bravestation, N Is For Newsboys, and F Is For The Flaming Lips

​19:20 - Here it is! W Is For Washed Out

​48:13 - The song the guys are trying to think of is "He Lied About Death" by Stars

Steve's Recommendations:
Psycho - Una Città Per Noi (A City For Us)
5A, Finestrino - Sola Andata (One Way)
Hurt - Aspera Tempora Parte 1 (Rough Times Part 1)

Doug's Recommendations:
Mayflower - Sola Andata (One Way)
Oremus - Aspera Tempora Parte 1 (Rough Times Part 1)


Qirsh's Official Website

Qirsh's Bandcamp

We're back with an all new episode on the boys from North Carolina, Papadosio! Steve and Doug catch you up on what's been going on the last couple years, chat about geography, muse about copyright (again), and how to nail a double album.

Music featured this week:
Unparalyzer - By The Light Of The Stars EP
Garden - T.E.T.I.O.S.
All I Knew - Observations​
Mr. Turtle's Cloud Kingdom - Pattern Integrities

6:04 - Around here, Steve's audio quality drops a bit. Not sure why, but Steve hasn't really been super happy with his new mic. Something to watch out for in future recordings

12:12 - Yeah it's a bit of a doozy, but an important dialogue. Check out our episode C Is For Crystal Castles and the accompanying show notes

13:38 - Here's the story from July 2020 about Tom Meighan being booted from Kasabian for abuse allegations from his partner

14:00 - And the story from just this past week where Matthew Good was dumped by WMG 

15:30 - Steve's not trying to say that the richer you are, the fewer problems you should have, but rather that money can afford you certain benefits to treat mentally health issues that people struggling financially don't have

19:30 - Shameless plug for Steve's radio show: Prog Rock Alley on 100.5 FM CFRO Co-op Radio and the compilation album that Papadosio is included on, Anthems From The Alley Vol. 1
 
26:00 - Sam Brouse is now a member of the band, only previously been thanked in early albums. I haven't really been able to locate what he does, but it could honestly be anything

49:46 - Here's the Kickstarter for the album "Extras In A Movie" if you want to see the details

53:12 - If that sounds like your jam, go to Ruxpin's Bandcamp page

123:30 - Steve is referencing a movie about alien abduction that came out in the 90's. The trailer alone used to give him nightmares.

Doug's Recommendations:
Out Of Hiding - Extras In A Movie
Mr. Turtle's Cloud Kingdom - Pattern Integrities
Content Coma - Content Coma

Steve's Recommendations:
By The Light Of The Stars EP
We Are Water - T.E.T.I.O.S.
Therian - Extras In A Movie
Pool Of Stars - Content Coma


Papadosio's Official Website

Papadosio's Bandcamp

Doug and Steve look at Canadian rock legends Our Lady Peace. The fellas also discuss advertising, teenage rebellion, and commercial versus critical success.

​Music featured this week:
Thief - Happiness... Is Not A Fish That You Can Catch
Somewhere Out There - Gravity
​Clumsy - Clumsy
If You Believe - Spiritual Machines

3:00 - Hi Past Steve!

​6:51 - If you're interested, here's a story on Rob Ford and his visit to Jimmy Kimmel. I had a hard time finding the actual interview online, but this video hits all the notes

23:24 - Here is one of many fairly basic Our Lady Peace music videos: "Clumsy"

​45:45 - Remember this one? Here's "Thief".... seems pretty wet

Doug's Recommendations:
Naveed - Naveed
One Man Army - Happiness...Is Not A Fish That You Can Catch
The Wonderful Future - Spiritual Machines

Steve's Recommendations:
Annie - Happiness...Is Not A Fish That You Can Catch
In Repair - Spiritual Machines
​Angels/Losing/Sleep - Healthy In Paranoid Times

​
Our Lady Peace's Official Website

Our Lady Peace's YouTube Channel

*Originally released March 21st 2019*

Doug and Steve come barreling back with the follow-up to their Joy Division episode, looking at the off-shoot band New Order. The boys talk about the evolution of pop music, Rhino Entertainment, and the rise of the Lizard People.

Six Degrees From King Crimson:
New Order -> Stephen Hague -> Pet Shop Boys -> Andy Mackay -> Roxy Music -> Brian Eno / Bryan Ferry -> King Crimson
New Order -> Flood -> U2 -> Brian Eno -> Robert Fripp -> King Crimson

Music featured this week:
​Bizarre Love Triangle - Brotherhood
True Faith - Substance 1987
Crystal - Get Ready

12:11 - Here's the extremely interesting but kind of bizarre documentary The New Order Story

​16:45 - Steve means 90125 by Yes

22:03 - In this case, "Blue Monday" is the first track on the second disc of the collector's release, but is also halfway through the album on the American cassette and CD releases

29:41 - If you'd like to go through all those songs again in their entirety, here you go: Donna Summer "Our Love", Klein & MBO "Dirty Talk", Kraftwerk "Uranium", Sylvester "You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)", and New Order "Blue Monday". You can also check out Orgy's cover of "Blue Monday" here.

1:02:22 - Here, take a look at "Somebody Told Me" by The Killers and compare it to the video below

Doug's Recommendations:
Age Of Consent - Power, Corruption & Lies
Every Little Counts - Brotherhood
Working Overtime - Waiting For The Siren's Call

Steve's Recommendations:
Temptation - Temptation [single]
The Perfect Kiss - Low-Life
Recoil - Lost Sirens


New Order's Official Website

New Order's YouTube Channel

*Originally released January 19th 2019*

This episode, Steve and Doug tackle French act M83, from their humble electronica roots up through soundtracks, rock ballads, 70's infomercial themes, and haunting car chases in the middle of the night. Do it, try it!

Music featured this week:
Midnight City - Hurry Up, We're Dreaming
Oblivion - Oblivion [soundtrack]
Don't Save Us From The Flames - Before The Dawn Heals Us
Where The Boats Go - Hurry Up, We're Dreaming

9:41 - It was a pretty good chat, so look up X Is For Xiu Xiu

​12:37 - Hope you can read French! Here's Brain Magazine's interview with Marie-Christine, Anthony Gonzalez's mother

58:23 - Apparently "Je Vous Hais Petites Filles" translates to "I hate little girls"

58:44 - This is the fan-made video for "We Own The Sky"

​1:09:16 - Here's the trilogy of videos from Hurry Up, We're Dreaming: "Midnight City", "Reunion", and "Wait"

​1:12:21 - Oops! Steve was a little cut off here, but he's suggesting that the song sounds like the Forest Temple music from The Legend Of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

1:23:12 - Teen Wolf himself (not really) performs for M83 on Jimmy Kimmel: "Do It, Try It"

1:33:51 - Here's the inclusion of "Kim & Jessie" in Doug's list of 100 Favourite Songs. It's #18

Doug's Recommendations:
Kelly - M83
Teen Angst - Before The Dawn Heals Us
Claudia Lewis - Hurry Up, We're Dreaming
Kim & Jessie - Saturdays = Youth

Steve's Recommendations:
Car Chase Terror! - Before The Dawn Heals Us
Couleurs - Saturdays = Youth
Reunion - Hurry Up, We're Dreaming
 Go! - Junk


M83's Official Website

M83's YouTube Channel

*Originally released December 22nd 2018*

Doug and Steve look at a special request this week with Gilbert, Arizona, band Lydia! The guys chat about line up changes, preserving a band's image, forming a distinct voice, and whatever emo skaters are up to these days. Also, Steve discovers new ways to sleep.

Music featured this week:
Goodside - Liquor
Smile, You've Won - This December; It's One More And I'm Free
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas - Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas [single]

33:22 - For more information, here's the link for our episode V Is For Vampire Weekend!

47:55 - Todd In The Shadows gave a great introspection on The Divinyls in his episode about "I Touch Myself"

Steve's Recommendations:
A Camera Lens And Careful Days - This December; It's One More And I'm Free
Seasons - Paint It Golden
Holidays - Devil

Doug's Recommendations:
Assailants - Assailants [EP]
Devil - Devil


Lydia's Official Website

Lydia's YouTube Channel

*Originally released October 18th 2018*

Steve and Doug are back to tackle the UK electronic rock band Kasabian. What does visual aesthetic have to do with an album? Where does politics end and the club begin? What does production work really do for an album's sound? And how awesome can facial hair truly be? Believe it or not, the guys manage to chat about it all!

Music featured this week:
​Empire - Empire
Goodbye Kiss - Velociraptor!
You're In Love With A Psycho - For Crying Out Loud
U-Boat - Kasabian

1:43 - Doug was right and there was a surge at the end! Ill-Legitimate made their $12'000

9:06 - Noel Fielding plays Richmond on The IT Crowd

9:47 - Here's our episode M Is For The Music

​29:16 - Here's the anti-imperial, anti-colonial, anti-war video for "Empire"

​44:00 - Starring Noel Fielding and directed by Richard Ayoade is this short grindhouse video for "Vlad The Impaler"

​1:03:42 - One of the guys' favourite music reviewers is Todd In The Shadows, and here's his TrainWreckords episode on Be Here Now by Oasis

1:19:50 - It's true! Björk technically has two debut albums: Her self-titled release from 1977 (when she was just 12), and her official debut in Debut in 1993. BUT you could also count her single 1990 jazz album with tríó Guðmundar Ingólfssonar, Gling-Gló, or the 1988 debut album of The Sugercubes, Life's Too Good. Or any of the other bands she's been a part of. 

Doug's Recommendations:
Club Foot - Kasabian
​Stuntman - Empire
treat - 48:13
Kasabian

Steve's Recommendations:
I.D. - Kasabian
Neon Noon - Velociraptor!
Are You Looking For Action? - For Crying Out Loud


Kasabian's Official Website

*Originally released September 22nd 2018*

Let's kick off the fall with a look at the short-lived but acclaimed career of Joy Division. Steve and Doug talk about the punk scene in blue-collar UK, destroying stages and manic dancing, and the effects of a fast-paced musician's lifestyle. Stay tuned for part 2 in a few months when we continue the story with New Order!

Music featured this week:
Atmosphere - Licht Und Blindheit [single]
Love Will Tear Us Apart - Love Will Tear Us Apart [single]
Shadowplay - Unknown Pleasures

27:22 - You can check out the early years of U2 here: U Is For U2 Part 1

47:57 - Aha! Found it! The version of "Love Will Tear Us Apart" that Doug was looking for was the mix found on the compilation Permanent

​59:02 - It's even on Doug's list of 100 Favourite Songs: Check out his write up for "Love Will Tear Us Apart", his number two song of all time

Doug's Recommendations:
Love Will Tear Us Apart - Love Will Tear Us Apart [single]
Disorder - Unknown Pleasures
Isolation - Closer

Steve's Recommendations:
Shadowplay - Unknown Pleasures
Transmission - Transmission [singles]
A Means To An End - Closer


Joy Division's Entry on AllMusic

Joy Division's YouTube Channel

*Originally released August 29th 2018*

​This episode, Doug and Steve look at California alternative rock band Incubus, known for their high energy anthems and beach-vibe guitar. Steve muses on lead singer Brandon Boyd's vocal mixing, Doug reflects on the film Stealth (or, as he calls it, "Danger Danger Death Plane"), and the two talk about album certifications, in case you aren't sure what platinum sales are - here's a hint: it depends on the country.

Music featured this week:
Wish You Were Here - Morning View
Take Me To Your Leader - Fungus Amongus
Drive - Make Yourself
Battlestar Scralatchtica - Make Yourself

12:59 - Listen to our episode D Is For De Lux

​27:58 - The California funk lives on with "Take Me To Your Leader"

​​49:25 - Yes, it is a real article: Metal Sucks wrote this bizarre entry "Former Unimportant Band Member Threatens To Kill Current Unimportant Band Member". DJ Lyfe's response is dated January 18th 2010

1:25:05 - Scope out the cool music video for "Dig"

​Doug's Recommendations:
Wish You Were Here - Morning View
Absolution Calling - Trust Fall (Side A) [EP]
Battlestar Scralatchtica - Make Yourself

Steve's Recommendations:
Azwethinkweiz - Enjoy Incubus [EP]
Magic Medicine - S.C.I.E.N.C.E.
In The Company Of Wolves - If Not Now, When?
​

Incubus' Official Website

incubusTV

*Originally released July 2nd 2018*

This episode, Steve and Doug look at Beaverton, Oregon, band The Helio Sequence! The fellas also chat about the rise of Modest Mouse, and working in a record shop, while Doug continually tries to sidetrack Steve with Menamena.

Music featured this week:
Don't Look Away - Love And Distance
Just Mary Jane (Calypso) - Com Plex
Red Shifting - The Helio Sequence

35:07 - Modest Mouse had a huge hit with "Float On" and if you look super closely, maybe you can see Benjamin Weikel playing the drums?

45:20 - Neither of these videos are up anymore! Tragic!

​59:49 - Looks like Helio Sequence has visited KEXP four times! Each performance is worth a watch: Sept 2 2012, Oct 16 2013, May 19 2015, and Oct 26 2018

Doug's Recommendations:
Let It Fall Apart - Love And Distance
Can't Say No - Keep Your Eyes Ahead
Hall Of Mirrors - Negotiations
(Square) Bubbles - The Young Effectuals
Love And Distance

Steve's Recommendations:
(Square) Bubbles - The Young Effectuals
S.O.S. - Love And Distance
Converter - Converter / Pilgrim's Progress [single]
Leave Or Be Yours - The Helio Sequence


The Helio Sequence's Official Website

The Helio Sequence's Bandcamp