Inside the Milky Way - A Look at Early Alternative Music

Christian Death rose from the Los Angeles punk rock scene in 1979 to become one of the founding bands of American gothic rock and death rock. Initially led by Rozz Williams, the band would create the landmark debut album in 1982, Only Theatre of Pain. Valor Kand would join Williams in the band for the second and third albums before eventually become the band's leader after the departure of Williams in 1985.This episode discusses the development of the group, the creation of American gothic and death rock music, and the first four studio albums from Christian Death through 1986.

The Undertones rose from the time of the Troubles in Derry, Northern Ireland to go on to be one of the biggest and most successful bands from Northern Ireland. The band's music developed from punk rock roots focused on teenage angst, growing up, love and heartbreak. The band’s first single was “Teenage Kicks”, a song that legendary DJ John Peel would say was his all-time favorite after playing it on his radio show, helping boost The Undertones career.This episode is the story of the band after forming in 1974, the 1978 song “Teenage Kicks” along with the tale of this song with John Peel, and the albums that followed into the early 80’s.

The Boston based post-punk band, Mission of Burma, was together for only four years during their initial run, but they had a lasting impact on music. One of the few releases from the band during these years was the landmark 1981 EP Signals, Calls, and Marches, which would be very influential to the future of alternative rock and indie rock. This episode discusses the band and their music during the incredible run from formation in 1979 until disbanding in 1983.

After taking a couple of years off from recording as Talking Heads, the band returned to the studio for the 1983 album, Speaking in Tongues. This fifth studio album from the band would be the commercial breakthrough and the album would be followed by a tour that resulted in the critically acclaimed documentary, Stop Making Sense.This episode will talk about the band's members getting back to record Speaking in Tongues after some side projects, the music of the album, and the documentary that followed taken from what would be the final Talking Heads tour.An earlier Spotify only episode that covered the early years through 1980's Remain in Light, and that episode will be recreated and issued on Apple other platforms. Episode 3.29

The English music and visual arts group Throbbing Gristle began in 1975 creating music which often contained harsh, mechanical, transgressive, and provocative sounds and themes. This was the start of what would be known as industrial music. This episode discusses the origins of the group, the creation of their music, and their three studio albums prior to their break-up of 1981.

When they formed in London in 1978, Visage was a collective of musicians that would take an approach to music and style linking to the burgeoning New Romantic fashion and music movement of the early 1980s. Midge Ure, one of the founding members of Visage, would be part of the band's first two albums, both of which were commercially successful. During Ure's time with Visage, their music would be a key link between the electronic sounds of bands that came before them and the fashion-conscious bands who would grow with the early years of MTV.This episode will talk about the various members that made up Visage, the band’s music, the impact from the Blitz club in London, and the New Romantic movement.

Welsh identical twin brothers, Jay and Michael Aston, formed the band Gene Loves Jezebel. From their post-punk and gothic rock debut album in 1983, the band would achieve commercial success by the third and fourth albums blending their music and their distinctive vocals with a more alternative rock approach. However, the relationship between the twins become strained leading to a separation that would result in two versions of the band going forward.This episode discusses the music of Gene Loves Jezebel into the 90's and the situation that resulted in two versions of the band, each led by one of the twins.

Starting in 1981, Sonic Youth pushed boundaries as part of American experimental no wave scene to redefine what noise meant in terms of music. The band would combine innovative guitar tunings, dissonance, and feedback with hardcore punk and avant-garde music as part of the New York no wave scene.The music of Sonic Youth began evolving from these early years taking a more conventional approach as the band become a prominent member of American noise rock.This episode tells the story of the band from their beginnings through the 1986 album, Evol, as the band was evolving from their no wave beginning.

In 1989, Nick Cave would experience some life changes and with those changes, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds would take their music in a new direction. By the end of the 1990’s, the band would achieve worldwide mainstream success with piano-driven ballads, most notably with the albums, Murder Ballads and The Boatman’s Call.This episode tells the story of the band and Nick Cave through their five albums of the 90's.

When Disintegration was released in May of 1989, the album signified a return to The Cure's darker and gloomier days of their early years. The eighth studio album from the band includes classic singles like "Lovesong", "Pictures of You", and "Lullaby", but also other emotionally intense songs like "Prayers for Rain", "Plainsong", and the title track. All of this has led to Disintegration being considered an alternative music masterpiece.This episode for The Cure tells the story behind the album as well as the story of Robert Smith's creation of the songs that make up this incredible work.

The Cramps took various music styles including punk rock, rockabilly, surf and garage rock, along with campy humor, sex, and horror/sci-fi film imagery to become the progenitor of what would be called psychobilly music. Led by the husband and wife duo, Lux Interior and Poison Ivy Rorshach, this American group grew from the New York punk scene of the late 70's to become an iconic band, and the perfect party band for Halloween.This episode (from Halloween 2024) tells the story of Lux Interior and Poison Ivy from their early years along with the albums and music through the 80's and into the 90’s.

Happy Mondays became one of the pioneering artists of the Madchester scene fusing indie rock, funk, psychedelia and acid house music to create a unique sound associated with this rave club cultural movement.The band's second studio album, Bummed of 1988, and the follow-up, Pills 'n' Thrills and Bellyaches of 1990, were two signature albums of the Madchester era.This episode tells the story of the early years of Happy Mondays from their formation through the music of the band's first three studio albums.

Flesh for Lulu was born London in late 1982 when lead singer and guitarist Nick Marsh met future drummer James Mitchell. Over the years, the band would build off of their post-punk roots to create music of various influences before breaking up in 1992. Flesh for Lulu came close to mainstream success in 1987 with the college radio hit, "I Go Crazy", but was never able to capitalize on this opportunity.Following various other projects and a couple of brief returns of Flesh for Lulu, Nick Marsh would pass away from cancer in 2015. This episode discusses the legacy of Nick Marsh and the history of Flesh for Lulu through their albums of the 80's.

The impact Buzzcocks had on music was beyond what Pete Shelley could have imagined when he started the band with Howard Devoto in 1976. Beyond organizing a legendary concert in Manchester that would kickstart the journey of a number of incredible bands, and combining punk rock with elements of pop to become a successful and influential artist, they would release their debut EP on their own independent label in 1977. The success of this self-release led to other punk and post-punk bands following suit, birthing the term "Indie" music.This episode tells the story of Buzzcocks beginning, their impact on music and beyond, their work through the break-up of 1981, and the beginning of Pete Shelley's solo career.Episode 3.24

The English band Shriekback was formed in 1981 by three musicians from post-punk backgrounds. Barry Andrews (formerly of XTC) , Dave Allen (previously with Gang of Four) , and Carl Marsh (from Out on Blue Six) would start this band and create a funk-infused music that would evolve over the years through various styles while maintaining their signature clever and unusual lyrics. This episode discusses the work and albums of Shriekback through their albums of the 1980's.(R.I.P Dave Allen. This episode was recorded a few weeks prior to the passing on April 5, 2025 of Dave Allen)

Mazzy Star, behind the sultry vocals of Hope Sandoval, became one of the legendary bands of 90’s alternative rock with the iconic song, "Fade Into You".The precursor to Mazzy Starr was the band Opal, led by the guitar work and production of David Roback. Opal would add Hope Sandoval as a new lead singer in 1988 and rename themselves Mazzy Star. Behind the creative duo of Roback and Sandoval, this band would go on to record three studio albums in the 90's developing their dreamy, ethereal, folky, neo-psychedelia music.Our episode discusses the band’s history back to David Roback’s early paisley underground years, the transition of the band from Opal to Mazzy Star, and their music of the 90's.

In 1982, Simple Minds released the album, New Gold Dream (81-82-83-84), and with this album the band would begin to solidify the path to worldwide success through next two albums, Sparkle in the Rain and Once Upon a Time. This episode tells the story of the band from 1982 to 1985 which includes these three classic albums, the development of their sound from the early year more experimental post-punk, and the beginning of the chart success they would see throughout the 80's. An earlier Spotify only episode that covered the early years from formation through 1981 will be recreated and issued on Apple other platforms, along with a discussion episode we had with Simple Minds bassist Derek Forbes.

Formed in Hamburg in 1980, Xmal Deutschland started as an all female band and was one of the early gothic groups of the New Deutsche Welle, or New German Wave.The band's second single, "Incubus Succubus", became a goth classic and the band, with lead singer Anja Huwe, would sign with 4AD records for their first two albums. Starting with Fetisch in 1983, the band released four studio albums before breaking up in 1990.This episode tells the story of Xmal Deutschland's early years through their music of the 1980's.

Sad Lovers & Giants, with their atmospheric and sometimes dark, melancholic, and psychedelia post-punk, was one of the most overlooked bands of the early post-punk era.The original line-up formed in 1980 and produced two albums along with some non-album releases before breaking up in 1983. Led by vocalist and songwriter, Garce Allard, the band has reformed several times over the years.This episode tells the story of the band focusing on the early years and the classic debut album, Epic Garden Music.

KMFDM, led by German born founder, frontman, producer and musician Sascha Konietzko, started their musical journey in 1984 as a performance art project. By the 90's this industrial band would pioneer a music that blends various music styles and genres to create their own unique sound, known as Ultra Heavy Beat.This episode will discuss the band, the music, the members, the art, and their albums from the 80’s and through the 90’s that impacted the world of music.

In the late 1970's, The Specials combined the music of 60's Jamaican ska, rocksteady, and reggae along with the attributes of punk music, and political and social commentary. This music would be known as two-tone music leading the way of a ska revival, often referred to as the second wave of ska music.Their self-titled debut album of 1979 on their own label, 2 Tone Records, brought this music to the attention of the British music scene. Over a two year span, The Specials would create a number of hits, including the classic songs “A Message to You Rudy” and the recession themed number 1 hit, “Ghost Town”.This podcast episode will discuss the early years of the band, their influential first two albums and music, the two-tone music genre, and the aftermath of some core members leaving the band in 1981.

Devo originated in Akron, Ohio forming a band based on the social theory of de-evolution. This innovative and unique band would combine experimental, art punk, and electronic music along with matching uniforms, quirky science fiction themes, surrealist humor, and satirical social commentary. After creating a short film and developing a number of songs, Devo would sign a record deal and release their debut studio album in 1978 with Brian Eno as producer. This episode will discuss the early years of the band through the third studio album, Freedom of Choice.

The Cranberries formed in Limerick, Ireland in 1989 and within a year would add an incredible 18-year old singer, Dolores O’Riordan. The band would sign with Island Records and release the singles "Dreams" and "Linger" just prior to the 1993 debut album. In 1994 their second album would include the alternative rock classic and stadium anthem, "Zombie", bringing the band international fame. This episode is the story of a band that would rise to become one of the best-selling alternative acts of the 1990s with a lead singer who would be a voice of a nation.

Following the breakup of The Teardrop Explodes, lead singer Julian Cope would begin a solo career starting with the album "World Shut Your Mouth" in 1984. The eccentric Cope would create multiple albums in the 80's as his music began to shift from the neo-psychedelia sound of his previous band to include a more pop and alternative rock influence. As Cope entered the 90's, music would edge toward folk, ambient, and krautrock while Cope would become an author, historian, musicologist, mystic, and head of his own multi-faceted production company.This episodes discusses the post Teardrop Explodes years of Cope and his albums of the 80's.

Led by the Australian singer-songwriting and guitarist duo of Robert Forster and Grant McLennan, The Go-Betweens became one of the great, and one of the most underrated bands from the 1980's. Founded in 1977 by Forster and McLennan in Brisbane, Queensland, this indie rock, jangle pop, and alternative band would create six studio albums during the 80's culminating with the classic, 16 Lovers Lane.This episode will discuss the early years of the band from the debut single, "Lee Remick", through 16 Lovers Lane of 1988.

In 1989, when Trent Reznor created the groundbreaking Nine Inch Nails album, Pretty Hate Machine, it changed the course of alternative music. The music blended industrial, rock, dance and pop synths, keyboards, and programmed drums, along with emotional lyrics, to create music that would influence artists and genres.This episode discusses the early years of Trent Reznor, the beginning of Nine Inch Nails, and the revolutionary debut album, Pretty Hate Machine.

The band Pink Turns Blue rose from the early years of the German gothic music scene in Berlin, during the Cold War period, to become a pioneer of the dark wave genre. Their debut album from 1987, If Two World Kiss, is considered a dark wave classic. Pink Turns Blue built on this developing sound for their second album a year later, Meta.This episode tells the story of the band including formation in the 1980's, the music of the band, and the genre influential two albums of 1987 and 1988.(Episode was recorded prior to the new album, Black Swan)

The Boston band Pixies would become one of the most influential indie and alternative bands contributing to the growth of the 90’s alternative rock scene.Their music was known for an extreme contrasting volume dynamic of quiet verses and loud choruses, creating a "loud-quiet-loud" song structure. Many bands would follow and adopt this style, in particular those within the grunge movement. The unique sound of the Pixies blends various genres and styles, and is best represented on their first two classic and influential albums, Surfer Rosa (1988) and Doolittle (1989). This episode discusses the forming of the band in 1986, the music of their early mini-LP, and the music of the first two studio albums.

Formed in 1979 by Billy MacKenzie and Alan Rankine, the Scottish post-punk band The Associates attained commercial and critical success by 1982 with the synth-pop and new-pop album, Sulk. Despite the accomplishments, various issues led to Rankine leaving the band while MacKenzie continued The Associates, but without achieving the same level of success. This episode discusses the early years of the group and their music prior to the departure of Rankine in 1982.

Members of Pylon join us on the episode to discuss the legacy of this Athens, Georgia band that formed in 1979 creating a unique danceable, post-punk, indie rock sound. During their initial run, they would release two studio albums in the early 80's before disbanding in 1983. They would reform as Pylon a couple of times over the years, but today the legacy continues with the band Pylon Reenactment Society (PRS) that formed in 2014.Joining us for this episode are Vanessa Briscoe Hay (lead singer of Pylon and PRS), Pylon’s bassist Michael Lachowski, and PRS guitarist Jason NeSmith.

Originating from Newport, Rhode Island, Throwing Muses was led by step-sisters Kristin Hersh and Tanya Donelly, who would release their debut album in 1986 on 4AD records. Throwing Muses would be one of the most original post-punk, college rock bands and their music be a precursor to 90's alt-rock. This episode discusses the origins of the band along with their music through the 90's.

After forming in the mid-70's inspired by glam rock, the English band Japan would alter their sound by their third album to a more synth-pop, art-pop and electronic approach. Led by singer David Sylvian, Japan would begin to achieve commercial success the influential fifth album Tin Drum and the song "Ghosts", before disbanding soon after in 1982. This episode discusses the early years of the group from formation through the album, Tin Drum, of 1981.

Led by visionary artist Adi Newton, Clock DVA came out of Sheffield, England in 1978 with an experimental electronic music that pushed boundaries. Over the years, Clock DVA and Newton would continue the experimental approach that would blend various styles such as electronics, industrial, jazz, cyberpunk, EBM, and ambient to create a groundbreaking and sometimes dark world of music. This episode tells the story of the early years of the band and Newton through the 80's, along with The Anti Group collective formed by Newton in the mid-80's where he would continue his experimental work outside of Clock DVA.

The second album from Adam and The Ants would be the best selling album in the UK in 1981, and would catapult Adam Ant to the front of the British music scene. The band's follow up album would be another hit, but it would be the last album before the band would end leading to Adam Ant embarking on a solo career.From being on the stage the night of the Sex Pistols influential debut performance, through losing all his band members to a new Malcolm Maclaren project, to reforming the band with a new image and a Burundi drum based sound, this is the story of how Adam Ant built his band leading to success.

The English band A Certain Ratio, or ACR, would mix post-punk music with heavy funk influences as well as dance, jazz and Latin music to create a unique sound unlike other artists from the era. They were one of the first bands on the Manchester Independent label, Factory Records, where they would release their first album in 1980 and remain on the label through 1986 when they would release their fifth album.This episode discusses the origins of the group, the creation of their music, and their albums during the Factory Records years.

After starting in 1978, the post-punk band The Comsat Angels would sign with Polydor Records for their first three albums, including the masterful and highly influential 1981 second album, Sleep No More.The result of these albums would be that this English band from Sheffield would be considered one of the most impactful bands of the post-punk era with their dark and moody music, but they would not receive the recognition they deserved.This episode discusses the history of the group and music over their career with a focus on the time period of the first three albums through 1982, known as the Polydor years, before the band changed labels.

When The Human League reconfigured after their first two albums, the band would redefine the synth-pop genre with their third album, Dare. This late 1981 critically acclaimed release became a number one album and contained four successful singles, including the monster hit, "Don't You Want Me". This episode tells the story of the band from their late 70's formation in Sheffield through the album, Dare, and discusses the music of the album.

The Stone Roses formed in Manchester, England in 1983 and went on to become an iconic figure of the legendary Madchester scene that emerged during the late 80's. Their self-titled debut album of 1989 is considered one of the best albums of the era, influencing both culture and music by the early 90's.This episode tells the story of the early years of the band, the music of the debut album, and the events that followed the release of that classic album.

Introduction to our Podcast, Inside the Milky Way - A Look at Early Alternative Music. This episode includes an overview on what our podcast is about, what is early alternative music, the types of episodes we will create, what we will cover in our episodes, and our history of podcasts over the last two years.Our name of our podcast is based on the alternative song from 1988 by The Church, "Under the Milky Way". More episodes coming as we release at least one new episode each week plus some other recently recorded episodes.