C86 Show - Indie Pop

Steve Boltz in conversation with David Eastaugh 

https://www.steveboltz.co.uk/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/920848814634353/

In 1971 he was recruited into the band Atomic Rooster, part of a new line-up for a tour supporting the band's third album In Hearing of Atomic Rooster and their No. 4 charting single "The Devil's Answer". The band was also recording their fourth LP Made in England which was released in 1972 with a more funky sound replacing their original progressive rock leanings. Bolton also appeared on Devil's Answer: Live on the BBC released in 1998, and on the release of In Satan's Name: The Definitive Collection.

Barrence Whitfield in conversation with David Eastaugh

https://www.facebook.com/BarrenceWhitfieldSavages

White adopted the stage name Barrence Whitfield to avoid being mistaken for superstar Barry White and began performing as Barrence Whitfield & the Savages.

The band garnered a strong reputation for explosive stage performances, described as "raucous and rough, in high gear from the moment they hit the stage." Whitfield himself was described as "a soul screamer in the spirit of Little Richard, Wilson Pickett, Solomon Burke, and early Don Covay." In 1984, the band released their self-titled debut album, mostly comprising cover versions of obscure soul and R&B songs. It received good critical reviews. The following year, they released a second album, Dig Yourself, on Rounder Records. Their music was heard by English radio DJ Andy Kershaw, who taped a Boston performance for airplay in Britain, and brought them to the UK for a tour.

David Miller, Simon McGlynn & Chris Connelly in conversation with David Eastaugh

THE SHEER ACTION OF FINI TRIBE is the first retrospective of the band, curated and designed by the band. It includes a wealth of archival photographs, an essay by original member ANDY MCGREGOR, who also designed the sleeve, and essays by longtime friend SHIRLEY MANSON and author ALASTAIR MCKAY, an early champion of the band.

The release features the first legendary JOHN PEEL SESSION produced by DALE GRIFFIN and originally broadcast in May 1985.

FINI TRIBE was born into the cash-poor but culturally-wealthy environs of post-punk Edinburgh in the very early 80s – 1980 to be almost precise. A tiny three piece with no drummer would soon swell into a muscular six piece with inherited or cheaply-purchased instruments. Band members CHRIS CONNELLY, SIMON MCGLYNN, ANDY MCGREGOR, DAVIE MILLER, PHILIP PINSKY, and JOHN VICK haunted the cold, damp warrens of the Niddry Street and Blair Street rehearsal rooms, just off the high street in Old Town Edinburgh.

Audrey Golden in conversation with David Eastaugh

https://store.whiterabbitbooks.co.uk/products/shouting-out-loud

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Shouting-Out-Loud-Lives-Raincoats/dp/1399624865

Art students Gina Birch and Ana da Silva formed The Raincoats in 1977. Since the release of their seminal early records, the 'godmothers of grunge' have been revered by punk, queer, feminist and indie pop artists alike. The Raincoats reimagined the nature of experimental music and DIY design and went on to inspire Sonic Youth, Nirvana, and an entire generation of Riot Grrrl and queercore musicians.

Shouting Out Loud: Lives of the Raincoats tells their astonishing story in three extraordinary lives. In The Raincoats' first life, they recorded three full-length albums now regarded as classics and were the first punk band to play behind the Iron Curtain in Warsaw. Nearly a decade later in 1992, the band's second life took off when Kurt Cobain's love of the band catalysed their renaissance.

Steve Avo Lindsey in conversation with David Eastaugh 

https://linktr.ee/steveavolindsey

A nervous suitor, a guitarist at the end of his Strat and his tether, wistful ex-partners on a work trip to Wales. Art school Futurists and singalongs in Cooper’s Bar, Denmark Street and suburbia’s (two) ups and downs – and earbudded Londoners on the Tube, sailing away on their own private playlists. “In my head,” confides STEVE ‘AVO’ LINDSEY, making his solo long-playing debut just five decades into his music career, “this sounds like a Nick Lowe album.”

But given that PING is the work of the Wirral-born bassist of DEAF SCHOOL and frontman of new wave chart act THE PLANETS who would later become a music exec known for his ears and acumen, it’s hardly surprising that these twelve tracks offer more than just fond footnotes to Lowe.

Factor in Lindsey’s love of Donald Fagen and Jimmy Webb, Arctic Monkeys and Tom Waits, Todd Rundgren and Nashville-style storytelling, and his lo-fi, groove-driven takes on Motown, and you’ll have an idea of what to expect from this joyful, playful, gorgeously varied sheaf of love letters to music and Merseyside, sweaters and Swordfishtrombones.

Listen to tracks like the finger-clicking soul of ‘Beautiful 45’ and the bottoms-up vaudeville of ‘Cheers My Dears’, the rockaway baroque pop of ‘Royal Iris’ and the sultry Latinisms of ‘To Know You Better’, and you’ll also hear warm and winning musical contributions from family and friends: Lindsey’s daughter Uainín Lindsey on backing vocals; the late Tony ‘Wims’ Wimshurst, ex-Planets and Nasty Pop, on lead guitar; and drummer Josh McCartney, the nephew of a local lad named Paul.

But first, some back story. When Deaf School invented itself in 1974 at Liverpool College of Art, Lindsey, one of two Steves in the band, modestly opted for the moniker Mr Average. Deaf School would become (nearly) famous for its extravagant Sparks-via-Kurt Weill pop and its distinctly un-average cast of sirens, showmen, keyboard philosophers and future superstar producers.

Jon Poole in conversation with David Eastaugh

A multi-instrumentalist, he is best known for his work as guitarist for Cardiacs and as bass player for the Wildhearts and Lifesigns.

Poole is the frontman and main performer of God Damn Whores, co-fronts the Dowling Poole with Willie Dowling, and has released two solo albums. He has also been a member of Ad Nauseam and Dr Brighton, and worked with the bands Ablemesh, La Momo, Crayola Lectern, Two Worlds Collide and Celebricide (as well as various projects founded by Ginger Wildheart),

Peter Bruntnell in conversation with David Eastaugh

https://peterbruntnell.co.uk/

In the early 1990s, Bruntnell returned to the UK and formed the band Milkwood, although he soon reverted to solo work and recordings with Matt Backer and Felix Harper as the Peter Bruntnell Combination. He was signed by Almo Sounds, who issued his debut album, Cannibal, in 1995. He recorded a second album for Almo, Camelot in Smithereens (1997), before moving to the Slow River label for his 1999 album Normal for Bridgwater.

Jesse Hartman in conversation with David Eastaugh

www.facebook.com/laptoptheband

http://laptoptheband.bandcamp.com

www.laptoptheband.com

Laptop is the pioneering electro-pop project from Jesse Hartman — the sharp-witted New York songwriter who first made waves as a teenage guitarist/keyboardist on Richard Hell’s
1990 legendary tour of Japan, then again in the ’90s as the front man of indie rock duo Sammy (with guitarist Luke Wood, Geffen/Fire Records).

After Sammy’s brief but buzzy run (two albums: Debut Album on Sonic Youth’s Smells Like Records/Fire Records in the UK and Tales of Great Neck Glory on Geffen/Fire), Hartman shifted gears, re-emerging in 1997 under the name Laptop with a sound that was years ahead of its time: sarcastic synth-funk, deadpan vocals, and emotionally raw themes filtered through cold drum machines and warm analog nostalgia.

Ken Sweeney in conversation with David Eastaugh

https://www.facebook.com/needlemythology

Brian formed in 1989 comprising Ken Sweeney (ex Instant Party) and Niall Austin. Often said to be named in honour of suave Blades' bassist Brian Foley.

They released a single on their own label and then relocated to London where a second single was recorded. Response to both singles was good and the band was signed to London Irish label Setanta Records. Niall Austin decided to leave around this time and Brian became essentially a solo vehicle for Ken Sweeney.

Keith Cullen liked the demos for the debut LP so much Setanta released them unadorned as "Understand" in 1992. A follow up EP "Planes" came out the same year but there was then a lengthy silence, during which Ken Sweeney returned to Ireland, in 1995. The second album "Bring Trouble" finally emerged in 1999, recorded by a four man lineup of Ken Sweeney (guitars), Marcus Holdaway (keyboards), Mitsuo Tate (bass) and Vinnie Lammi (drums). Response to this more upbeat version of Brian was less immediate and Brian haven't recorded since. 

Annabella Lwin in conversation with David Eastaugh

https://www.annabellalwin.com/

Bow Wow Wow signed a recording contract with EMI Records in July 1980, and released their first single, "C·30 C·60 C·90 Go!", shortly afterwards. Originally only released on cassette, it was the world's first-ever cassette single. EMI did not promote the cassingle due to lyrics ("Off the radio I get constant flow/Hit it, pause it, record and play/Turn it, rewind and rub it away") that promoted home taping during an era when music piracy was a hot button issue and the use of cassette recorders to record music from the radio was still a controversial practice.

Richie Stotts in conversation with David Eastaugh

https://www.richiestotts.com/

New York City born musician who began writing and performing in a fledgling 1970s NYC band named “The Numbers”. Richie’s songwriting skills and lead guitar playing experience ultimately lead to him becoming one of the founding members of the groundbreaking and inimitable punk/metal group, Plasmatics.

In 1978, Richie was among the earliest musicians to sport a Mohawk, taking inspiration from the Travis Bickle character in the movie Taxi Driver. 

Sananda Maitreya in conversation with David Eastaugh 

https://sanandamaitreya.com/

https://www.youtube.com/SanandaMaitreya

Artist, composer, arranger, producer, multi-instrumentalist, entrepreneur and Post Millennium Rocker, SANANDA MAITREYA was born in New York U.S.A. on March 15th 1962.

n 1987 his debut album “Introducing the Hardline”, gives him International success. Sananda wins a Grammy Award in 1988 as Best R&B Vocal Performance, Male.In June 1988 he is on the cover of Rolling Stone Magazine and he is nominated “Top International Newcomer” at the British Awards. In the following years 3 studio albums are published: “Neither Fish Nor Flesh” in 1989, “Symphony or Damn” in 1993 and “Vibrator” in 1995.The albums have many famous songs including the soundtracks of various legendary Hollywood movies such as: ‘Beverly Hills Cop III’, ‘Prêt-à-Porter’, ‘The Promised Land’, ‘The Fan’, ‘Shake Rattle & Roll’, ‘Frankie & Johnny’. 

Guy Mankowski in conversation with David Eastaugh 

https://iknowhowtolive.substack.com/p/welcome-to-i-know-how-to-live-the

Dorothy Max Prior in conversation with David Eastaugh 

https://www.roughtrade.com/product/dorothy-max-prior/sex-is-no-emergency-adventures-in-a-post-punk-wonderland

Further adventures in psychedelic rock, ballroom dancing, performance art, and parenting in 1980s Britain. Further adventures in a post-punk wonderland from the author of the acclaimed 69 Exhibition Road.

In this new volume, focusing on the 1980s, Dorothy Max Prior recalls her days as a ballroom dancing tutor in South Kensington, drumming and touring with infamous experimental pan-sexual psychedelic rock group Psychic TV, exploring London and New York City's queer clubbing undergrounds, the tangled worlds of the UK’s indie music scene at the height of its influence, performance art, and parenting.

Ted Zurkowski in conversation with David Eastaugh

https://www.tedzurkowski.com/

https://www.honeywestmusic.com/ted-zurkowski.php

An acclaimed member of New York's acting community, Ted Zurkowski is a Lifetime Member of the Actors Studio. He's also been playing in bands and composing songs since his tender, pre-shaving years.

In 1994, he and fellow Studio member Lynnea Benson founded the venerable Frog & Peach Theatre Company, one of New York's most popular Shakespeare ensembles. A man of many talents, Ted sometimes found himself serving as Frog & Peach's Lead Actor; sometimes as Director, often as a Producer, and frequently, as a Composer.

With a burgeoning musical career, and a great many fish to fry, Ted bid farewell to theatre to return to his first love: playing music and writing songs full time. In 2017, he joined with British rock and roll legend Ian McDonald (King Crimson, Foreigner) to form the band Honey West, releasing their debut album, "Bad Old World".

Noel Burke in conversation with David Eastaugh 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1001217991862133/user/61555741167271/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1001217991862133

Irish singer, who is best known for replacing Ian McCulloch as the lead singer with Echo & the Bunnymen from 1989 to 1993.

Burke's first band was St. Vitus Dance, who released the album Love Me, Love My Dogma in 1987. The band split and Burke was contacted by Will Sergeant, who invited him to join Echo & the Bunnymen as lead vocalist. The band released Reverberation (1990) 

In 2005, Burke reformed St. Vitus Dance for some live shows. An album of new material, Glyphotheque, was released in 2008.

Richard James Burgess in conversation with David Eastaugh 

https://landscape.band/

https://landscapeband.bandcamp.com/

English musician, singer, songwriter, record producer, composer, author, manager, marketer and inventor.

Burgess's music career spans more than 50 years. He came to prominence in the early 1980s as co-founder and co-lead singer of the synthpop band Landscape, which released a top-5 hit in 1981 with the single "Einstein a Go-Go". Burgess is one of the main composers of Landscape's music, and made major musical and lyrical contributions to the band's songs. After the band's break-up he pursued a brief solo career releasing one mini-album, Richard James Burgess in 1984.

He launched his career as a producer with Spandau Ballet's debut UK hit "To Cut a Long Story Short", the first commercial success for the hitherto underground New Romantic movement.

Burgess currently serves as the President and CEO of A2IM: American Association of Independent Music.

Chris D in conversation with David Eastaugh 

Chris D. (born Chris Desjardins) is an American punk poet, singer, writer, rock critic, producer, and filmmaker. He is best known as the lead singer and founder of the early and long-running Los Angeles punk/death rock band the Flesh Eaters.

The Flesh Eaters were a staple of the L.A. punk scene in the 1980s.^[7] The band played alongside seminal bands like The Misfits and The Meat Puppets.^[3] A number of original Flesh Eaters releases, like River of Fever, were recorded through Shakeytown Music/BMI.^[4] Others were produced by Upsetter, Invasion/Bomp, Zippo/Demon or SST.

From 1989 to 1993 and from 1997 to 2000, Desjardins performed live with varying line-ups of The Flesh Eaters. During the first of these periods, three more albums came out on SST Records: Dragstrip Riot (1991), Sex Diary of Mr. Vampire (1992), and Crucified Lovers in Woman Hell (EP - 1993).Two additional albums, Ashes of Time (1999) and Miss Muerte (2004), were released.

Reinhold Heil in conversation with David Eastaugh

https://reinholdheil.com/

German musician, producer, and film and television composer. He initially achieved success in Germany as a member of the post-punk and Neue Deutsche Welle groups Nina Hagen Band, Spliff and Nena, and later as a music producer.

As a film composer, he is known for his collaborations with director Tom Tykwer, on films such as Run Lola Run (1998), Perfume: The Story of a Murderer (2006), The International (2009), and Cloud Atlas (2012). 

Paul Marko in conversation with David Eastaugh 

https://punk77.co.uk/

https://www.facebook.com/punk77UK/?locale=en_GB

A history of UK Punk Rock from 1976-79: Featuring bands, fashion, Club & Pubs, history, fanzines & features