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.
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18:27
Buzzcocks - The Music and the Birth of "Indie"
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
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23:49
Shriekback - The Infusion of Funk
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)
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20:16
Mazzy Star - From Opal to Hope
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.
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22:12
Simple Minds 2 - A Dream Through Rain and Time
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 soon, along with a discussion episode we had with Simple Minds bassist Derek Forbes.
About Inside the Milky Way - A Look at Early Alternative Music
A podcast that takes a look at the development of alternative music in the 80's with a focus on post-punk, goth, dark wave, electronic, industrial, and synth styles. The episodes will feature artists, contributors, themes, and events of the early alternative era along with background and discussion.
The title of our podcast is based on the alternative song from 1988 by The Church, "Under the Milky Way".
Ireland