**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
*In this episode we use excerpts of 3rd party musical content*
We welcome Martyn Ware, founder member of both seminal Sheffield based electronic bands The Human League and Heaven 17.
Martyn talks us through his journey from the early days in The League to H17 presenting concept albums to stand as works of art, whilst the band maintained a heir of mystery, to producing artists under the parallel imprint of B.E.F. which lead them to being responsible for relaunching Tina Turner's career in the early 80s.
Martyn is now working on 3D sound installations, and still touring the world with H17, whilst presenting the highly acclaimed podcast, "Electronically yours", the episodes of which are now digitally filed at The British Library as a source of reference and cultural archive - DA
*In this edition we use excerpts of 3rd party musical content*
We welcome Nick Thorp from Curiosity Killed the Cat. A band that scored a deal based on their solid live act, releasing a string of hits and albums.
A very easy conversation about feeling music from a very early age, self proclaimed wild child hanging round the King's Road, forming Curiosity, being in their element far more live than in the studio and how the band quite possibly, were the template, for a period of time at least, to the industry that later prioritised the whole boy band thing.
Still working on new music as well as doing some great charity work helping underprivileged children get in to music whilst quite literally rescuing them. We hope you enjoy this episode - DA
*In this episode there are excerpts of 3rd party musical content*
We welcome Craig Gannon to tell us his story and talk about his journey through the 80s via some incredible indie pop bands, from Aztec Camera, the Colourfield, Adult net, Cradle, Edwyn Collins, Black Grape and of course, The Smiths.
Craig also has a chilling tale which he recalls fromrecording with Brix Smith in Jimmy page's famously haunted manor, which used to belong to Alistair Crowley!
Now composing music for films and TV, Craig is planning to tour in a new project fronted by Alain Whyte which will also feature Boz Boorer and various ex Morrissey players - one for Smiths/ Morrissey fans to keep their eyes peeled for.
Craig also chooses some fantastic tracks from the 80s for us - DA.
*This episode features excerpts of 3rd party musical content*
This was a great chat with Pete & Gary from Irish rockers, Silent Running. A band who enjoyed 2 major label signings but because of the time spent in London and America, a loyal local Irish following wasn't really achieved at the time. However, some anthemic strong material formed a solid back catalogue With comparisons to U2 and Simple Minds.
With a new album and a helping hand from The Arts Council Of Northern Ireland, a new lease of life has allowed the band to enjoy something of a revival.
The guys also choose some great 80s tracks for us - DA.
We Welcome Scouse lad, Eddie Lundon, one half of the writing duo China Crisis who have been the chameleons of British pop since 1982. Spreading their unique style across a back catalogue of some 7 superb albums.
China Crisis were both naive and brave in the beginning. Refusing to have their album programmed, void of live instruments, ditching the producer and studio time, bunking home to Liverpool with the hump. However the moment 'Christian' was a hit in this country, Virgin records basically gave them the freedom they wanted. The band went on to tour with Simple Minds, The Police and David Bowie.
Eddie tells us about his love of Eno, Talking Heads, Talk Talk and Steely Dan, the latter being galvanised by recording two albums with late Walter Becker.
China Crisis Release a new double album 'China Greatness' comprising of orchestrated new versions of some hits and some obscurities at the end of this month on the formidable Last Night In Glasgow Label, embarking on a huge tour, as well as some UK dates with The Thompson Twins - DA
*In this episode we use excerpts of 3rd party mudsical content*
We welcome the wonderful Maggie Dunne from the unparalleled Brummie band Fuzzbox.
Maggie is honest and candid about the band's journey starting out by accident as a bunch of 15 year old girls, who learnt quickly how to own their tech and craft, to then be accepted and respected in a male industry.
A band that ragarded it almost a sport in winding up the record company who simply didn't understand this all girl group who remain the only example to have earnt an indie no.1, with lyrical content that challenged some deep subjects and as characters, presented a variety of non stereo types, for a female audience to identify with.
Maggie is still writing, touring and is currently there is a book and documentary due for completion. Her choices of 80s tracks are eclectic and a real treat - DA
*In this edition we use excerpts of 3rd party musical content*
We welcome welcomes Keith Atack, teen pop star turned pro guitarist with a career spanning some 45 years. Starting out in boy pop band Child in the late 70s, then with brother Tim, formed sophisticated pop outfit The Dual. After spending 20 odd years playing in the world's finest Eagles tribute band, The Illegal Eagles, Keith found his calling with the huge rock sound of his own band Atack.
Keith was from a musical family, once married to Actress & Singer Kate Robbins whose Mother is the cousin of Sir Paul McCartney's and Keith is the very proud father of his TV/ Film star daughter Emily Atack.
Keith also chooses his 5 favourite 80s tracks - DA
In this edition we use excerpts of 3rd party musical content*
Welcome Malcolm Garrett MBE, from the renowned graphic design agency, Assorted Images who pretty much designed half of your record collection!
David declares Malcolm as one of his heroes with no hesitation.
Cheshire born but the cultural son of Manchester, who's love of The Beatles still remains true as does his love of Barney Bubbles' design work on those early Hawkwind albums and the Stiff records canon.
We talk out the detail of Malcolm's approach to design and how this played out working for Buzzcocks, Duran Duran & Simple Minds, his dalliance with the world of James Bond and his book design for David Buckley's book on Kraftwerk, which was probably deemed so accurate, that only the German's took umbrage!
Malcolm also chooses 5 brilliant tracks from from the 80s - DA
*In this edition we use excerpts of 3rd party musical content*
Episode 34 allows Liverpool legend, Paul Simpson to tell his story, taking off the straight jacket after 30 plus years.
His honest encounter is captured in his brave memoir published recently, "Revolutionary Spirit - A Post Punk Exorcism", in which he talks about betrayal, broken hearts, and losing the will to sing. Having been in an early incarnation of Teardrop Explodes, then the driving figure head of both versions of The much in demand band The Wild Swans, then accidentally landing a recording contract with Ian Broudie in the duo Care, but leaving the project before it's completion, knowing it was not going to heal his broken heart, still broken from having his band The Wild Swans rob him of his creative spirit. A band that nailed it at 20 yrs of age, with their sheer ambition. They later pushed Simpson aside to find success without him as The Lotus Eaters. Paul's is quite a heavy tail.
However, Life is too short and the grudge he has been carrying for so long has finally worn thin. Finding a love for his bands' past work in the Philippines, this meant a change of heart.
we hope you enjoy this episode which also features some incredible choices from Paul and a few tracks from his back catalogue that we absolutely love.
Paul's memoir is available now - DA
https://www.roughtrade.com/en-gb/product/paul-simpson/revolutionary-spirit-a-post-punk-exorcism-the-teardrop-explodes-care-the-wild-swans-and-beyond
*This episode features excerpts of 3rd paty musical content*
In this edition we are pleased to have with us David Mcgillivray an actor, director and writer who has been responsible for many adult and horror films throughout the 70's and 80's. Also having worked as a joke writer for Julian Clary for many years as well as publishing his own books.
David catches John on an off day but his humour got us through. We enjoyed the 80s tracks David chose for us
- DA.
**This episode contains 3rd party music content and excerpts of which have been used where ever possible**
We welcome our first Norwegian guest, Ole Paulsen, the voice and co-song writer from Dance Pop duo 2 Brave.
These young lads put their dreams before their studies after receiving good feedback from EMI to their demos in Norway. They decided to come to London and pursue a career in music, embarking on gruelling club date promo tours, acquiring an abundance of screaming fans, generating more fan mail at London Records than label mates Bananarama, but frustratingly this never translated into hard sales figures.
The duo eventually ending up in L.A. songwriting and living the dream.
Ole is now a respected businessman with an influential book publication available, but is still enjoying creating music, and embracing AI in touching up the old 2 Brave compositions.
