In 2020, Shakin’ Stevens talked us through his incredible career, from his early days with the Sunsets to a decade-long run of 80s hit singles, via a starring role as…
Bananarama albums – the complete guide
The albums of Bananarama have spanned from post-punk to shiny pop… Deep Sea Skiving, 1983 As introductions go, few made an impression as indelible as Bananarama’s March 1983 debut album,…
Top 20 B-sides of the 80s
We remember some of the best B-sides of the 80s… By Barry Page It’s easy to forget in today’s era of streaming and downloading just what a treasure trove of…
Tears For Fears – The Tipping Point interview
Tears For Fears’ long-awaited comeback, The Tipping Point, is “our most ‘us’ album”, according to Curt Smith. He’s not wrong. Curt and Roland Orzabal have finally regained their friendship, as…
Making The Cure: Wish
Following the release of Disintegration, The Cure survived a turbulent three years to return with possibly the most Cure-like record in their discography – Wish… By Dan Biggane Hidden within…
Johnny Marr interview: Fever Dreams Pts 1-4
Fever Dreams Pts 1-4 is the first double album in the prolific five-decade career of Johnny Marr. The iconic guitarist reveals all about his visionary new epic, the influence of…
The Boo Radleys interview: “I think there’s always been that dichotomy about us”
More than 20 years after calling it a day, The Boo Radleys are back – older, wiser, and minus their original songwriter. “People are giving us a chance,” singer Sice…
Pop on the Tyne: Remembering Razzmatazz
Before The Tube, there was kids’ TV show Razzmatazz which brought small screen anarchy to the masses. Presenter Lyn Spencer and producer Malcolm Gerrie tell the tale of how this…
Spotlight: Thomas Dolby – Aliens Ate My Buick
We remember the third studio album by Thomas Dolby, 1988’s Aliens Ate My Buick… My Matt Phillips Thomas Dolby has never played it safe. And, true to form, in April…
Popscene – C86
Your at-a-glance guide to some of our favourite sub-genres What is it? Sometimes conflated with soundalike sub-genre ‘jangle-pop’, C86 was the term given to a particular brand of introspective, lo-fi,…