Inside the Milky Way - A Look at Early Alternative Music

Jaksot

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  Cocteau Twins II - The Road to Heaven or Las Vegas 13.09.2026 37min

  In the time after their 1984 album Treasure, Cocteau twins continued to evolve from their early atmospheric and dark post-punk music to pioneer ethereal wave and dream pop. This culminated with the masterpiece 1990 album, Heaven or Las Vegas.Cocteau Twins would release a number of EP's in 1985 building off of the style created on Treasure. The road would continue with 1986’s Victorialand, an album with a more acoustic and ambient feel. Beyond a collaboration with composer Harold Budd that further expanded their sound, the band created a refined and lush, multi-layered guitar and vocal style album with 1988's Blue Bell Knoll. Then, Heaven or Las Vegas of September 1990 would be the landmark dream pop album as Cocteau Twins blended shimmering guitar textures and lush soundscapes with Elizabeth Fraser’s emotive, ethereal vocal delivery.This episode tells the story of the Scottish band Cocteau Twins’ growth as one of the most influential bands going beyond their early years and on the road to Heaven or Las Vegas of 1990. The episode will also discuss the albums in the 90’s that followed before the group disbanded in 1997, in part from the disintegration of the romantic relationship between members Robin Guthrie and Elizabeth Fraser. This episode continues the story of our earlier first Cocteau Twins podcast from 2025 for the band's early years through their first three albums.
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  The Mekons - Post-Punk Country 06.09.2026 34min

  The Mekons arrived during the late 70's UK post-punk scene and still perform today as one of the longest running artists from this era. The band never achieved mainstream commercial success, but has consistently received critical acclaim throughout their career especially in the mid-1980's while blending punk rock with traditional folk and country music to pioneer the alternative-country genre.The Mekons, or just Mekons, formed in Leeds in 1976 as an art collective with many musicians contributing over the years as they operated on principles that everything is created by the band and not individuals. This uncompromising band has always maintained their political edge with their lyrics and their style has constantly evolved over time to incorporate aspects many genres including country music, folk music, and alternative rock, among others.  Although The Mekons' lineup has changed from time to time over the years, the core line-up gathered in the mid-80s and is still together today. This includes Sally Timms on vocals and Susie Honeyman on violin, along with founders Jon Langford on vocals and guitar, and Tom Greenhalgh on vocals and guitars.The Mekons, well known for their exuberant live performances, have released a total of 16 studio albums, starting with the 1979 debut and the most recent in 2025. This episode tells the story of the band from formation through the creative work of their albums of the 80’s and into the early 90’s. 
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  The Cult - Origins 30.08.2026 33min

  The Cult formed in 1983, behind vocalist Ian Astbury and guitarist Billy Duffy. Initially known as Death Cult before changing their name in early 1984, this English band would establish a following with their post-punk and gothic rock sound before changing to a more hard rock sound in the later 80’s.The Cult's debut studio album, Dreamtime, was released in 1984 and their second studio album, Love, followed in 1985. Love was the band's breakthrough success and included the classic singles, "She Sells Sanctuary" and "Rain⁠⁠⁠".The Cult’s early work mixed dark, atmospheric sounds with heavy guitar riffs while adding spiritual themes and Native American imagery. The band would be influential for bridging the gap between gothic rock/post-punk with later 80’s hard rock as they changed their musical direction working with producer Rick Rubin for the album Electric in 1987. The Cult would finish out the 80’s with the fourth studio album, Sonic Temple, which included the song “Fire Woman”. This podcast episode will explore the origins of The Cult from before the Death Cult days and through the first four albums as The Cult, all before the end of the 80’s.
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  The Stranglers - The Men in Black 23.08.2026 35min

  After starting on the pub rock scene in England, the core line-up of The Stranglers would form in 1975, and they would release their debut album in 1977 during the British punk explosion.  During the band's early years, the aggressive and uncompromising approach of The Stranglers would result in the press and critics grouping them with the emerging UK punk rock scene. However The Stranglers, beyond dressing in all black outfits, were different. After the first two albums and over the following years the sound of the band would gradually shift through various genres and styles as the music matured and became more refined. Throughout the band’s history, The Stranglers have had multiple hit singles while releasing 18 studio albums, of which the first ten albums hit top 20 on the UK top album charts. The Stranglers are amongst the longest-surviving bands to have originated in the British punk scene, and one of the most commercially successful band from the UK punk era. This episode tells the story of the band through the first six albums, all by 1981 over a 4 and a half year span, including The Raven, Black and White, and The Gospel According to Meninblack.
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  The Motels - Out of Los Angeles 16.08.2026 33min

  Originally from Berkeley, California as the Warfield Foxes, this band relocated to Los Angeles in the mid-70’s and became The Motels.  During the late 70's in L.A., The Motels became a vital part of the club circuit that helped launch the local punk and new wave scenes.  The band’s early tracks were along punk rock lines, but by the early 80’s The Motels were more new wave and alternative rock behind atmospheric sound, theatrical style, and the sultry vocals of lead singer Martha Davis.Following their third studio album, The Motels became a fixture of the early 1980s MTV. Their music blended moody, melancholic lyrics with catchy, melodic pop-rock and synth-driven arrangements as they achieved commercial success with hit singles, "Only the Lonely" and "Suddenly Last Summer".Led by the charismatic Martha Davis, The Motels were one of the most successful and acclaimed bands to emerge from the Los Angeles new wave scene.  The initial run of the band would end in 1987, but Martha Davis later revived the band that is currently known as "The Motels featuring Martha Davis." This episode will tell the story of the band from their early years through the 1980’s.
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  The Feelies - Crazy Indie Rhythms 09.08.2026 31min

  Originating from Haledon, New Jersey in 1976, The Feelies would play a post-punk, indie rock, jangle pop style of music. By 1980, The Feelies had become one of the more unique bands from the New York City underground music scene.Arriving during the early post-punk era, the band’s debut album was 1980’s Crazy Rhythms. This trend setting and influential album combined jangly guitars with chiming and droning guitar patterns, along with fast and sharp percussive beats setting the rhythm.  The band was not commercially successful, but The Feelies  would help shape the sound of American alternative and indie rock music in the 80’s and 90’s, influencing many artists.  It would not be until six years after the debut when album number two would be released. That second album, The Good Earth, was co-produced with Peter Buck of R.E.M. By 1992, The Feelies would create two more studio albums before the end of their first run as a band.  The band reunited in 2008, and released new studio albums in 2011 and 2017.This episode tells the story of the band from formation and early years through today. 
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  Siouxsie and the Banshees II - The John McGeoch Years 02.08.2026 33min

  In late 1979 following their second album, two members of Siouxsie and the Banshees departed the band leaving them without a drummer and guitarist. By early 1980, the band had added drummer Budgie and guitarist John McGeoch, which accompanied a change in musical direction for the group.The shift began with the addition of synthesizers and drum machines on the 1980 album, Kaleidoscope. Changes continued with the fourth studio album, the seminal JuJu which featured innovative and unconventional guitar work from McGeoch. On their fifth studio album, A Kiss in the Dreamhouse, Siouxsie and the Banshees shifted toward a more sensual and psychedelia style while incorporating string arrangements.After the third album with McGeoch, they would part ways but not before McGeoch's work with the Banshees would influence many future alternative music guitarists.This episode tells the story of Siouxsie and the Banshees through the three albums with the legendary John McGeoch, and continues the story of our earlier podcast for the band's early years through their first two albums.
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  Radiohead - Through The Bends 26.07.2026 39min

  The genre-defying band Radiohead was initially considered as just another alternative rock and grunge act as their debut single "Creep" from their debut album, Pablo Honey, became a global hit in 1993.  Radiohead's music would quickly evolve beyond the early labels as they developed a more guitar driven and ballad oriented second album, The Bends.Beyond Pablo Honey and The Bends, the band continued to experiment through the 90's to create a more complex sound on the 1997 landmark recording OK Computer, and abandon traditional rock structures with their 2000 album, Kid A.Radiohead's experimental approach to music is credited with advancing the sound of alternative rock and changing the landscape of 90s alternative music. This episode will tell the story of: Radiohead’s early years after forming in 1985 in Oxfordshire, England under the name On a Friday; the debut album Pablo Honey; and through the second album, The Bends.(Photo by Rupert Elvin for EMI)
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  The Birthday Party - More than the Boys Next Door 19.07.2026 34min

  The Birthday Party was an abrasive and chaotic band that mixed blues, free-jazz, and rockabilly to form a unique style of post-punk music.Initially named The Boys Next Door when formed in Australia in 1977, the band would relocate to London and rebrand themselves as The Birthday Party in 1980. This band would provide the jump start to the career of their lead vocalist and frontman, the legendary Nick Cave. Driven by his vocals along with Rowland S. Howard's screeching guitar work, the band would create songs of unusual stories and violent tales behind unsettling and noisy soundscapes. Before disbanding in 1983, the band only had limited commercial success, but was very influential to many other artists that followed. The Birthday Party' s creative core was much more than the boys next door. Beyond Nick Cave as singer and primary songwriter, this included multi-instrumentalist and Mick Harvey, and guitarist Rowland S. Howard, all of which continued beyond to acclaimed careers. This episode will tell the story of the forming of The Boys Next Door through The Birthday Party years, and all their music.(Photo by David Corio)
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  Eurythmics - Dark Synth Dreams 12.07.2026 37min

  Following the break up of their previous band The Tourists at the end of 1980, Eurythmics were formed by the duo of Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart. They released their debut studio album, In the Garden, in 1981 under the production of Conny Plank, but the album was not very successful.  Eurythmics decided on a new approach for their second album, altering their sound to minimal, cold, dark synthesizer-based pop with Annie Lennox's distinct soulful vocals and a very unique visual style. With this came their second album, Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This), which achieved global acclaim along with the number 1 smash hit title track. The music of this January 1983 release featured a dark undercurrent, electro-soul sound built with synthesizers, pioneering drum machines, and unconventional percussion, along with Annie Lennox's emotive lyrics. This was the start of a new era for Eurythmics that introduced Annie Lennox’s iconic, gender-bending visual style to the world and the MTV generation. This episode tells the story of Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart from their early days in The Tourists through the first two Eurythmics albums, as they rose to the top of the music world in 1983. 
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  The Beat (The English Beat) - Socially Conscious Ska 05.07.2026 35min

  The Beat, also known as The English Beat in the United States and Canada, formed in 1978 in Birmingham, England. The music of this post-punk act fused various styles including ska, soul, reggae, pop, and punk rock to become one of the key and most successful bands of the UK ska revival and the two-tone scene of the early '80s.  The Beat's songs would often include lyrics that took on socio-political themes, while the music and the danceable sound gave the band crossover appeal to go along with their message.  The band released multiple critically acclaimed studio albums starting with their debut album of 1980, I Just Can't StopIt, along with a number of hit singles including "Mirror in the Bathroom" and "Save It for Later".  The Beat broke up in 1983 after the third studio album before some members went on to form two other notable bands, General Public and Fine Young Cannibals. The Beat reformed in the 2000's and continues today with a new make-up behind original member and lead singer Dave Wakeling.   This episode tells the story of The Beat from their early days through the music of their three studio albums of the early 80’s.  
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  Front 242 - To the EBM Front 28.06.2026 34min

  During the 1980’s, Front 242 became a pioneer of Electronic Body Music (EBM) and a key artist in the development of the industrial and electronic music genres. Their music blended aggressive, relentless, danceable, electronic beats with driving basslines, commanding vocals, tense militaristic aesthetics, and innovative media sampling. The Belgian based Front 242 formed in 1981 in an effort to create music and graphic design using emerging electronic technology. During their early albums and releases the band developed what would come to known as EBM. After signing with the the Wax Trax! Records label Front 242 achieved international success with their 1988 fourth studio album, Front by Front. This album spawned the iconic industrial club anthem "Headhunter", and the album and this song are considered among the greatest industrial music releases. This episode will tell the story of the Front 242 from their beginnings as they rise to the front of the EBM and industrial music scenes by the 1990’s.
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  Altered Images - The Post-Punk Roots of Clare Grogan 21.06.2026 31min

  Altered Images began in 1979 after forming from a group of five teenagers in Glasgow, Scotland. The band was fronted by singer Clare Grogan with her sweet and bubbly youthful vocals as the band would go from their post-punk roots onto new wave and synth pop in the early 80’s.  The first two singles by Altered Images as well the majority of the songs on the debut album were produced by Siouxsie and the Banshees co-founder Steven Severin, who had taken the band under his wing. This early work with Severin was dark and moody post-punk along with Grogan’s more upbeat vocals and melodies, creating a unique mixture and sound.Martin Rushent produced the title track of the debut album, Happy Birthday , which brought the band commercial success, but was more pop sounding than the Severin produced work of the album. Rushent would remain producing for Altered Images with album number two, which was another successful LP and included the hit song “I Could Be Happy”.This Scottish band would find success with six UK top-40 singles and three top-30 albums by 1983, before breaking up following the third album. More recently, Altered Images reformed in 2021 and released a fourth studio album. Clare Grogan has been the one constant member from the original formation while also maintaining a successful acting career among her many ventures.This episode tells the story of this often overlooked band and the career of Clare Grogan, including the story of her connection to the song "True" by Spandau Ballet.
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  Further Inside the Milky Way - Skeletal Family, Ghost Dance, James Ray 14.06.2026 35min

  This episode is part of our Further Inside the Milky Way series. These are shows that we will do from time to time where we go deeper into vast collection of the music and artists from the early alternative era. In these episodes we will discuss a few artists in the one show. We will try to pick artists that have something in common or a connection between them.  In this "Further" episode all of the bands fit into the gothic rock style or genre in some form. The first is a band that has had a very long career after their 1982 start, Skeletal Family. One of the original Skeletal Family members was lead singer Anne-Marie Hurst, who left to form the second band we discuss, Ghost Dance. Ghost Dance was formed with Hurst and Gary Marx, who had just left The Sisters of Mercy. For the third band, Andrew Eldritch of The Sisters of Mercy brought in the singer and musician James Ray to his Merciful Release Label after the departure of Marx, and would lead to the band, James Ray and the Performance.(Pictured : Anne-Marie Hurst)
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  Gang of Four - More than Entertainment! 07.06.2026 35min

  After forming in Leeds in 1976, Gang of Four became one of the most influential and original post-punk bands from the late 70’s UK music scene. Gang of Four took the musical freedoms that punk rock had created and used them to change the future of music. Known for post-punk, dance-punk, and funk rock sounds, the band played a stripped-down mix fusing hard funk rhythms, danceable beats, and jagged guitar while moving away from traditional rock structures for a more unconventional method. The band's music also emphasized social and political issues with the inclusion of radical lyrics and philosophies influenced by situationism and Marxist theory.Gang of Four's debut album from 1979, Entertainment! has been considered not only one of the best debut albums of all time, but one of the best and most influential of all time, and the band is considered one of the leaders of the post-punk movement. While their early seminal records like Entertainment! and the follow-up Solid Gold focused on tense, stripped-down post-punk, their later 1980s albums leaned further into danceable post-punk. This episode will tell the story of the rise of Gang of Four and their influential beginnings, music, and albums over their career with more emphasis on the music and background from Entertainment! and Solid Gold.
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  The Style Council - The Soul of Paul Weller 24.05.2026 34min

  When The Jam broke up at the end of 1982, their lead singer, songwriter, and guitarist Paul Weller decided to do something different musically. Weller, along with Mick Talbot, would form The Style Council, a band that would take a more soulful and polished approach to music. This English band would explore and incorporate various influences including European jazz, jazz-pop, classical, funk, R&B, 60's soul, and Northern soul. The music of The Style Council,  with the lush arrangements, smooth keyboards, and fluid guitars would often fit the sophisti-pop style.The Style Council was not only about the music as Weller included social commentary in the lyrics and used this venture to address political concerns.Beyond the core members of the band, Weller would bring in other musicians and vocalists as The Style Council would release four studio albums between 1984 and 1988. After their first two albums and early hits like "My Ever Changing Moods" and "You're the Best Thing" , the band's popularity started to decline eventually leading a breakup in 1989. This episode will tell the story of The Style Council between 1983 and 1989, and discuss the band’s music and the content as Paul Weller created soothing and soulful alternative music. 
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  Joy Division - Unknown Pleasures 17.05.2026 33min

  Joy Division was one of the first and most influential bands coming out of the early years of the post-punk era, and their debut album, Unknown Pleasures, would inspire generations of artists and change the future of music. This English band formed in 1976 and their first recordings were inspired by early punk rock as represented on the 1978 debut EP An Ideal for Living.  Joy Division soon signed with the new independent label, Factory Records, where they would record Unknown Pleasures with producer Martin Hannett. This June 1979 release developed a sparse sound and style that made Joy Division one of the pioneering groups of the post-punk genre. The debut album, with the very iconic cover, would become one of the most influential post-punk albums of all time. This podcast episode will tell the story of the formation of Joy Division, their early recordings prior to and around the time of the debut album, and the creation and music of Unknown Pleasures.  
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  Severed Heads - Beyond Dead Eyes 10.05.2026 32min

  The Australian band Severed Heads was a pioneering electronic and experimental artist, and one that is very underappreciated from the early alternative era. As one of the pioneering Australian alternative music acts, their music was part industrial, synth pop, electronic, dance, and ambient as well as experimental bringing in found sounds, tape loops, samples, and noise.The original two members, Richard Fielding and and Andrew Wright, formed the band in the late 70’s as Mr. and Mrs. No Smoking Sign.  Tom Ellard joined in 1979 and soon after the band renamed themselves Severed Heads. By mid-1981, both founding members had departed leaving Ellard to continue the band.As Severed Heads moved through the 80’s behind Ellard, their sound evolved from the early avant-garde to more accessible electronic body music (EBM) style with  synth hooks and pop structures taking on both an industrial and dance-oriented approach.In 1983, the band released their fourth studio album, Since the Accident, followed with the single "Dead Eyes Opened ", a critically acclaimed song that would become a dance club classic.  Beyond the music, Severed Heads were also early pioneers of incorporating video, computer graphics, and digital technology into their performances and releases. In all, the band has 23 studio albums as well a number other releases including a number of video albums over a very prolific career as one of the longest running Australian post-punk era bands.Our podcast will tell the story of the pioneering Severed Heads, well beyond "Dead Eyes Opened"!
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  The Afghan Whigs - Congregation and Gentlemen 03.05.2026 31min

  The Afghan Whigs earned a cult following during the early 90's with their music that mixed the Motown sound and R&B with indie and alternative rock. Formed in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1986, The Afghan Whigs were led by singer-songwriter Greg Dulli whose songs presented vivid stories of broken relationships, obsession, guilt and toxic masculinity.  The music was full of emotional anguish and the lyrics were introspective, dark, and mature behind Dulli's intense and  gravelly vocals. The band's signature sound was a fusing of the passionate vocals with melodic guitars, gritty alternative rock of the grunge era, and soul and funk influences. It was all of this that separated the band from their peers in the early 90’s, and resulted in The Afghan Whigs as being one of the most critically acclaimed alternative bands of the 1990s.Their work was best represented on 1992's album, Congregation, where the band found their signature sound, and the critically acclaimed cinematic masterpiece from 1993, Gentlemen, which is considered a landmark, unapologetic breakup album.In this episode we will discuss the early years of the band with a focus on their two classic albums, Congregation and Gentlemen.
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  Magazine - John McGeoch and Beyond 26.04.2026 33min

  After being part of Buzzcocks, Howard Devoto left that group in 1977 to start a new band, known as Magazine. He launched this new venture in Manchester, England when he enlisted a young guitarist to join, named John McGeoch. Magazine would debut with the song “Shot By Both Sides”, followed by their debut album, Real Life. This classic and critically acclaimed album is considered by many as the first post-punk album. As one of the first post-punk bands, Magazine built off the energy of punk while adding various complex musical elements along with darker lyrics. With McGeoch, who would become one of the greatest guitarists of the alternative music era, Magazine would release three albums before McGeoch's departure in 1980.Magazine would release another studio album before breaking up in 1981. The band would reform under in 2009 and release their fifth and final studio album in October 2011, before the band ended.This episode will tell the story of the band including the first three albums with the late John McGeoch, and beyond with the albums that followed. We will also discuss the impact John McGeoch had on music before his passing at the age of 48 in 2004.