We welcome Actress Nicola Bryant most know for her role as Doctor Who's companion Peri Brown - John's favourite companion to John's favourite Doctor. To this end, although David did the noble thing and let John go a bit silly on a solo mission, he still did the hard work to make him sound less silly...sort of.
Nicola was an absolutely lovely guest and told us all about her career and her choice of 80s music was from the heart. DA
Ahead of Britpop by some 5 years, Ben Addison and his twin brother Scott forged a band that were a magic blend, steeped in references. channelling his Anthony Newley via Bowie, kicking out Who licks in power pop punk troupe Boys Wonder.
This was a riveting conversation with someone who was a visionary with a clear sense of what he could and could not abide in 1980s culture.
Ben chooses some great 80s tracks for us, has a couple of great spooky stories and tells us about the new Boys Wonder releases aswell as the book of photography that has just been released - DA
Welcome to Melbourne born studio legend, Julian Mendelsohn, who tells us all bout his journey from his 'Radio Shack' electronics obsession that developed into recording gear and studio equipment, which after a family move to England drove him into a career doing exactly that. Julian has worked with just about everybody and his name featured heavily on the backs of our records in the 80s + 90s.
We hope you enjoy our chinwag with this modest and unaffected industry professional who has given us so much pleasure over the years. Julian also chooses his 5 eighties tracks for us. DA.
Simon was one half of 80s folk pop sensation Big Bam Boo, along with Shark they stormed America destined for big things with a big budget. David was lucky enough to see them live several times in London venues supporting various bands in the late 80s.
Simon's journey through the world of writing and performing has been a very interesting one going right back to the early 70s, involving publishing deals, record deals, recordings and shenanigans that include amongst other things kit sharing with Kraftwerk!!
Simon lives and works in France and continues to release albums and play shows. We hope you enjoy Simon's story. DA
*This episode features 3rd party musical content*
John talks the hind legs off Super 8 and VHS expert Mark Williams, about his days at paramount in Wardour Street, working with Michael Man, possible dodgy dealings in the good days of VHS and all things niche in the world of horror.
Mark's film VHS Forever and his book Bootlace Cinema are available now - DA
*This episode contains excerpts of 3rd party Musical content*
In this edition we welcome American songwriter Bob Beland.
- DA
*This episode features excerpts of 3rd party musical content*
Welcome the esteemed studio legend, Peter Boyd Smith, responsible for the production and mixing on some of our favourite 80s records from The Bible, Sting and the incredible second album from The Adventures, The Sea Of Love.
A humble and down to earth pro with great taste in music including the pedestal statement regarding Peter Gabriel's Sledge Hammer! - DA
*This episode features excerpts of 3rd party musical content*
We speak with New Zealand singer songwriter JJ Mist, who is currently releasing original material through the lens of the 80s, making a stir in the genre recognised as Synthwave.
Born to a touring musician Mother, JJ has been raised in a musical family and has developed her own writing with the help of fellow producer Alex Markham, moving from a kind of dance pop into a more 'Pat Benatar cinematic rock sound - DA
*This episode features excerpts of 3rd party music content*
This is the story of veteran Kent born Musican and songwriter Martin Ansell, who having been in a grammar school band supporting Gong in Chatham, he began his 'London' career doing the odd session in Rockstar studios owned by John Springate of the Glitter Band. It was here that he met Rod Bowkett and together they formed many ideas under such names as President President and The Quarks, with producer, Tony Mansfield from New Musik.
Having been signed three times. Firstly to the maligned 'Toy Label' Magnet, then the somewhat dismissive EMI and finally to Island, who whilst Chris Blackwell was encouraging, others there weren't so keen to push or promote. Martin gave us an inside view as a 'low rosta' artist and a true account with no bed of roses.
Having also sessioned for Captain Sensible and Tom Robinson, Martin had a few stories to tell, not to mention a genuine ghost story too. His five songs from the 80s were exquisite. Enjoy - DA
*This episode contains excerpts of 3rd party musical content*
Welcome Mark Wood - Woking's other walking musical encyclopedia after Mr.Weller.
Mark has been a key person in the back catalogue part of the record industry for years doing great work at Virgin, Universal and Demon records.
This is a great look back at the decade from the point of view of a boy whose love of music began at a young age (See photo), and led him up the rungs of the record shop retail ladder, to a stint at Smash Hits magazine and eventually instigating superb reissue packages, looking after acts like Soft Cell, Bryan Ferry, Grace Jones and Suede.
Mark has assembled two outstanding 5 disc sets, 'Box Of Sin' & "More Sin", which go some way to demonstrate just what the 80s music scene was really like in London's gay club land.
Mark's recollections of cultural history are thrilling as are the pictures he paints depicting his journey through the 80s, a genuine Small town Boy.
We thought it would be a nice idea to dedicate Mark's episode to the memory of Aunty Janet - DA.
**This episode features excerpts of 3rd party music content**
**Strong language disclaimer**
Welcome Nick Whitecross, front man of one of Britain's most unique alternative pop bands from the 80s, Kissing The Pink.
KTPs musical canvas began with a kind of cinematic brood in 'The last Film', but then transforms itself into MTV high class pop and eventually Weatherall-fuelled dance music. What a fabulous art troupe this band were and still are, with a 5 CD 1982-2024 Anthology out on Cherry Red Records.
Nick has done all sorts of work for organisations - including Parliament, but is still writing and releasing music - DA
**This episode contains 3rd party musical content, excerpts of which have been used where ever possible**
Welcome studio legend, Dave Bascombe, whose work mixing, engineering and producing some of the greatest British recording artists, has in itself created some incredible talking points and tales. Dave is one of the industry's back room super heroes, who seldom get the applaud from the record buying public.
His work with Tears For Fears on Songs From The Big Chair and with Depeche Mode on Music For The Masses, brought his name to our attention. The list of artists he has worked with is stellar, from Peter Gabriel to The Verve to Erasure.
it's no surprise that Dave's choice of eighties tracks for this episode were top drawer - DA
**This episode features 3rd party musical content, excerpts of which have been used where ever possible**
Welcome to Ian Penman. Ian's story is a fascinating one for us because he began his career as a talented jobbing keyboard player auditioning for bands that had contracts, connections and that all seemed to be heading for success. From a band assembled around Lemmy's son, Paul Inder which happened to include Julian Lennon at some point, drummer Lez Warner who went on to play with The Cult and whose manager was Zepplin's Peter Grant!! To An Irish rock outfit called Zerra 1, to a formidable scouse duo called Two People, with whom Ian played keys, which is where we discovered Ian.
Ian also produced and nurtured bands such as Raising cain working in proximity of infamous pop manager, Tom Watkins.
These days Ian woks for a music law company based in Soho, called New media Law, doing some amazing work in the industry.
The music featured in this episode is as follows:
*This episode contains excerpts of 3rd party content*
In Episode 68 things peak. New heights of name dropping and contract work!!!
We welcome Sheffield legend David Clayton, school friend of Cabaret Voltaire and founder of synth funk (and early poptarts signature tunesmiths) Person To Person. Dave tells us all about his career from the early days of funk outfit Hot Cuisine to going on to playing for everyone, working on a reputation by recommendation for ABC, The The, Paul McCartney, Simply Red, U2 and The Pet Shop Boys to name a few. But it was when he teamed up with Tim Simenon, Kerry Hopwood and Q to form Toy, Dave took up programming duties for Depeche Mode on the Ultra album. Which led to getting a call from *Kling Klang Studios* and an invitation to create some sounds for Kraftwerk for the Expo project!!!!
This humble egoless keyboard player from Sheffield has quite a tale to tell.
We hope you enjoy it - DA.
*This episode features excerpts of 3rd party musical content*
Welcome Leigh Gorman. Born in a multicultural community in London's East End, hearing African, Caribbean and latin music, that in some way informed the world Rhythms that he would later create, for both Adam & The Ants and Bow Wow Wow songs, using Punk as his vessel.
It was extensive illness that took the original Bow Wow Wow off the road to recover, during this time, the band's bank account and tour rig vanished.
Leigh later set up his own studio, producing rave and urban dance releases for the likes of Soho, Silver Bullet, the Tam Tam label to name a few. Making commercials with Malcolm Maclaren followed along with an ill-fated soundtrack to a 90s Carry on film, 'Carry On Columbus'! As well as working on demos for one of Morrissey's finest albums 'You Are The Quarry', that were copied by another studio for release, but sadly not acknowledged -DA
*This episode contains excerpts of 3rd party musical content*
In this edition we welcome someone from the new guard as it were, namely Ed Gamper AKA Sunglasses Kid, to talk about the old guard of 80s musicians and how they inspired him to create his vision. An evocative, cinematic and inspired take on 1980s music, making him king of the genre Synthwave.
Ed loves Janet Jackson - DA.
We welcome two guests, Stephen Brotherstone & Dave Lawrence, hosts of the infamous Scarred For Life Podcast and authors of two excellent books - Scarred For Life volumes 1 & 2, that explore those television and film moments from the 70s & 80s pop culture that have left their marks on us as children. From animation, Hammer films, armchair thrillers, Public information films, advertising campaigns and the constant threat of nuclear war. There is also an abundance of spooky tales and sightings in the sky in this interview.
We offer our scar recollections and our guests choose their favourite 80s tracks. Steve & Dave's third book will be released on July 27th 2024 and we strongly recommend you check them out. Link Below to place your order. - DA
https://www.lulu.com/shop/dave-lawrence-and-stephen-brotherstone/scarred-for-life-volume-three/paperback/product-45mzvz2.html?q=scarred+for+life&page=1&pageSize=4
**This episode contains excerpts of 3rd party music content**
We welcome London born actor Mark Baxter, who is best known for his role of Duane Orpington in Grange Hill, but also scored child roles in movies like The Omen and Stanley Kubrick's Barry Lyndon. Mark tells us all about his work on the stage in Oliver and is quite frank about how badly child actors were treated in the 70s & 80s, by way of low wages and were exploited as a cheap resource.
As well as delivering a fantastic ghost story, he also chose some 80s bangers for us.
Mark is very passionate about the inspiring and important charity work is now involved in - DA
*This episode contains excerpts of 3rd partry musical content*
We welcome the legend that is Richard Jobson, front man of The Skids, whose career has moved through the arts from acting, TV presenter, singer, musician, but first and foremost, a writer and a vervacious reader.
As a lifelong sufferer of epilepsy, Richard has lived his life with great attack and gusto, having always believed his time on this planet would be a short one.
With a healthy body of work as a director, an impressive catalogue of albums as a songwriter and also as an author, Richard talks to us about the release of his latest novel, a kind of memoir entitled Kreuzberg Sonata, that tells a story centred in Berlin - DA
*This edition contains 3rd party musical content*
In episode 60 we welcome Clark Datchler, songwriter and front man of Johnny Hates Jazz. An early 80s soul boy born into good Jazz stock on his Father's side.
Employed as a songwriter at Micky Most's RAK studios, which is where he met the other members of what later became JHJ, working with the legendary engineer Phil Thornalley.
We hear about perfecting the art of high end pop, the need to get out of the limelight, the disdain for critics and how hard it was in the 90s for an ex-80s pop star, releasing solo material.
Johnny Hates Jazz are still touring and releasing material with renewed vigour - DA
